Wildlife at Night 12-31-09

Last night, Jeff decided to have a campfire.  This is something that we all enjoy even without marshmallows. This evening our treat was the wildlife and the quiet all around us. (that is once the children were in bed)
As I sat in my chair watching the flames flicker and the coals glow, I realized that I heard nothing except the sound of the wood popping and in the distance the faint sound of an owl.  How often is it that we take time to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature?  This is one thing that I love about our travels. It is enjoying the simplicity of life.  I know that in my own life I forget to slow down, and enjoy all I have been given. Tonight, I decided that this is what I would accomplish.

Then out the corner of my eye, I saw an Armadillo scurry past us. Jeff and I could see the glow of the fire on his armored shell. After he was in the woods, I hit Jeff on the arm and said, "HOW COOL WAS THAT!"  Of course, he didn't like that hit him or the fact that I was shouting.  He said, "He might have come back out if you wouldn't have SHOUTED!"  Oh, yea!  I forgot - Quiet. I am supposed to be slowing down, enjoying the peace and quiet.

About 30 minutes later with an almost full moon overhead and the warmth of the fire on my legs and back (I had to get out of my chair and look into the woods hoping the Armadillo would come back out), we saw an EIGHT point buck within 3 arms length of us. Because of his size and stately appearance, I could not speak. I thought about hitting Jeff on the arm and shouting but I was too busy holding my breath. The deer walked slowly in front of us. Jeff pointed the flashlight at him and for an instant he froze and fixed his glare our way.

Then this 8-point buck moved ever so slowly closer to us. Still afraid to breathe, I was thinking "is he going to charge at us, should I say something, should I slowly back up" but all I could do was admire him.  I could see the faint lines on his antlers, his eyes were as big as quarters, and his fur was a mixed with white, black and grey hairs.  I could see in his ears!! He looked into our eyes and moved even closer toward us. I just knew that he was going to turn and run because he could hear my heart beating so loud!!  My heart was beating faster and faster with each step that he took closer to us. I was noticing that I truly was holding my breath. I thought surely he is going to run in the other direction, but I was hoping that he would just pause for a moment once more.  Once he was about an arms length in front of us, he dropped his head and slowly walked off to the right behind our bus on his way to the next campsite.

Jeff was the first to speak this time, "In all my time out in the woods I have never stood that close to a deer and he remained alive."  I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or hit him. 
Soon after the deer was gone, we realized how cold it had gotten. Jeff put out the fire. We went into the bus cold and smelling like smoke from the fire but having a smile inside that kept us warm as we drifted off to sleep. Oh - the peace and quiet. I need to enjoy it more!!!