Deer behind our house. March 20, 2009.
Betsy and I have become accustomed to seeing deer on the golf course behind our house. They usually come by in the late afternoon, and although they have enjoyed a few bites while we watched them, they are usually quite skittish and will quickly run off if golfers come by or dogs start barking.
But yesterday we saw six deer who behaved very differently. They came down the fairway (nothing unusual about that) and started grazing behind the house. After a few minutes they all looked up and stared at the tees further down the hill. Two golfers had driven up to the tee in their cart and were preparing to tee off. We expected the deer to take off, but they just stood there watching . The golfers teed off (without hitting any of the deer) and slowly drove past them.
The deer went back to grazing and then the smallest deer laid down on the fairway. That was definitely different from anything we had seen before. After a few minutes another one laid down. Now we were really intrigued!
After a while a neighbor’s dog started barking, but instead of running off into the woods the deer moved closer to the tee. Soon all of them were lying down. I’m not sure how long they rested, but after a while they got up one by one. Shortly afterward they disappeared into the woods.
As I said, we’ve never seen deer act like that before. Maybe they knew the golfers were through for the day. Or maybe they just thought they owned the golf course. In either case I’m glad I could get the pictures above. The collage can be enlarged by clicking on it.
Senior Moments 
March 21, 2009 at 4:35 am |
LOL, You both have seen more deer. I am amazed.
March 21, 2009 at 7:50 am |
This again is a lovely collage George. The wildlife on your doorstep is of the prettiest kind. Myself I only saw a glimps of a deer the other day and the photos did not come out as it was already after sunset. I stood on the breaks and stopped the car where the fellow jumped in among the trees and remained there just watching me. I’ve often seen deer just stand and watch for a while if the distans is more than 100 metres. Never have I seen one then just lay down. I can’t think of any other explanation in your case than the one of the golfers being familiar to the deer.
March 21, 2009 at 8:12 am |
Perhaps they felt that if they paid their dues…they were owed some green time???
Very cute. I suppose they are getting a bit too comfortable with people and animals around them…they may take over soon George.
March 21, 2009 at 8:25 am |
What a beautiful collage! They are lovelies, for sure.
March 21, 2009 at 9:18 am |
Our golf course is also filled with deer in the evenings. Ours are not skittish at all. They simply glance at me and go on feeding.
March 21, 2009 at 9:44 am |
Hey George I love seeing these guys. How beautiful!
March 21, 2009 at 9:57 am |
I just bet that even I could enjoy golfing with that many deer around.
Blessings,Ruth
March 21, 2009 at 10:50 am |
I’ve come across deer like that too once in a while along my paths. Maybe some have been around people more than others and aren’t afraid anymore.
It’s great for getting some good pictures of them.
March 21, 2009 at 11:46 am |
I understand you where intrigued! I often see deers where I live – but they run so fast I don’t have a chance to get my camera up! As a golfer myself, I would have stopped golfing, just to watch those wonderful animals!
Beautiful shots of a very special occation!
March 21, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
Who knows, the deer may quietly take back what they think was their’s all along! 😉
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog.
I lived for many years in the DC area. One of my favorite parts of the US is Eastern Tennessee, down from Bristol to the Great Smoky Mountains. Our kids (and I, I confess) enjoyed Dollywood immensely. I would love to come back to hike through Cades Cove (the kids were too small back then) and drive once more along US-441 and Clingmans Dome Road in the fall. Visiting Cherokee and the walk through the Indian vegetable gardens in the woods are unforgettable.
March 21, 2009 at 5:53 pm |
Maybe they know that they are safe? Great pics….
Jane
March 21, 2009 at 7:21 pm |
Great pictures !
The deer were probably sunning on the warm lush grass….
I have them in my back yard, and they hardly stop eating when I’m out there…..cheeky beggars…lol
March 21, 2009 at 7:52 pm |
A comment on my tulips George; Those were tulips I bought in a flowershop! It is way to early for anything growing here now – only small signs of spring in Oslo! But I know further west in the country, spring is way ahead of us! But that is usual! And then it is hope! 🙂
March 21, 2009 at 8:37 pm |
That is so fascinating and yes, pretty strange behavior. They sound like they’ve gotten used to their human (and dog) inhabited environment. These photos are such a treat for us too, thank you.
March 21, 2009 at 9:49 pm |
I love this. I hope they come back for you!
March 21, 2009 at 10:17 pm |
George: What a neat story and a great photo of your tame deer. It’s not good for them to become too tame around people.
March 22, 2009 at 8:02 am |
Beautiful photo collage. I wonder if they were just reluctant to leave all that nice green grass.
March 22, 2009 at 1:30 pm |
How intriguing ;–)
Methinks the deer know who owns the place.
Hugs and blessings,
March 22, 2009 at 4:39 pm |
It is amazing that they did that….wouldn’t you just love to know the reason they did it after all this time?
March 24, 2009 at 3:56 pm |
Sometimes nature is so good to us, sometimes not. Glad you were around while nature was showing the good side. Nice collage.
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