A Close Call

In my Gregarious Gulls post I said that nothing much had been going on nature-wise.  That was NOT a hint to Mother Nature to make something more exciting happen.  Something a little too exciting.  On my way home from work Thursday night I almost hit a deer!  It was dark and I didn't see the small herd crossing the highway until they were right in front of me.  Luckily I was able to stop in time and the deer "caught in my headlights" also hurried to get out of the way, but the look on its face is still in my head.  I must have scared it as much as I scared myself.  The adrenalin was definitely flowing after that close call.

Did you know that there are over 60 species of deer?  Deer are native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica.  However, Australia has several introduced species and deer occupy only a very small area of Africa.  But only five species are endemic to North America.  White-tailed deer are found in North America, Mexico, Central America and northern South America, although for some reason they don't live in Nevada, Utah, California, or Alaska.  That's the only kind of deer we have here in the east.

Source:  Wikipedia

But there are over 30 sub-species of white-tails, including Key deer.   Mule deer are usually only found west of the Missouri River and black-tailed deer, found in Pacific coastal areas, are generally considered a sub-species of mule deer.  Mule deer are especially common in the Rocky Mountain areas.

My parents used to live in Estes Park, Colorado and we would see deer around the house all the time.  Even though you weren't supposed to, my dad loved to feed them.

As you can see, they loved being fed - too much which is why you weren't supposed to.  One time I was visiting and a herd came through with a beautiful buck.  I nicknamed him Ralph!  Don't ask me why that name came to mind, but here's a picture of him.

It was right before dusk which is why the photo is a little dark.  The other species of deer found in North America I don't think of as deer, but they are - elk, moose and caribou.  We saw elk in Colorado too.  Large herds would come through Estes Park in the winter.  They would come down from the high country and stay in the 'warmer' areas around Rocky Mountain National Park.  Here are a couple photos I took.  I was so excited about being able to get pictures I accidentally locked myself out of my car!  So I hope you appreciate them!  :-)

 

There are many other types of deer from around the world, including fallow deer found in parts of Europe and Asia..

Source:  Wikipedia

the Common Muntjac found throughout Asia...

Source:  Wikipedia

the gray brocket found in South America...

Source:  Wikipedia

and you can read about the smallest species of deer in my Petite Pudu post.  Deer live in a variety of ecosystems from the tundra to tropical rainforests. Deer are mostly herbivores eating grasses, weeds, herbs, legumes, tender branches, grains, fruit, and acorns.  But they are opportunistic feeders and when food is scarce they have also been known to eat birds and mice.

I'm so glad I didn't hit that deer!  There have been reports of deer very near my house in a cleared electrical easement area between the mobile home park and the park I live next to.  I have yet to see them, but I hope to soon.  They have only been seen late at night though so pictures of them might not be possible.  We'll see.