Wkite-taM Zter 



A surprise event on this warm summer evening is 

 the sight of a tremulous deer grazing under the old 

 apple tree. I know that at this time of the year 

 hungry white-tailed deer wander about in the dry, 

 wooded hills nearby, searching for food. In my 

 orchards, a full meal of lush orchard grass beckons, 

 and diners have nothing to fear. I'm glad this deer 

 has joined the apple tree community. 



One of the most beautiful sights in all the great 

 outdoors is a glimpse of these graceful and fleetfooted 

 animals, heads and white tails high in the air, bound- 

 ing through the woods. Imagine how the melodic 

 sounds of a harp would look if they had form; that is 

 a deer in motion. 



The family life of the white-tailed Virginia deer is 

 unusual. At birth a baby deer is about a foot and a half 

 tall, covered with a brown, spotted coat that helps 

 camouflage it from the sharp eyes of foxes, coyotes, 

 and other predators. It lies motionless in a bed of 

 leaves, usually at the base of a tree, until its legs are 

 strong enough to carry it through the forest and fields. 

 For a year or more a young deer remains under the 

 care of its mother, usually traveling by her side until 

 it is practically full-grown. Even after that time, deer 

 generally graze and travel together. 



I hope that this special guest of mine will come 

 again to the apple tree community. 



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