Fast melts the snow...

Wow, I could actually walk out back on our deck today. It was about a foot deep in snow for over a week and now it is almost clear. I just went outside and it feels like spring. And I think I might even like it! I was really worried about spring flying in on us - we just aren't ready for it yet. But maybe I can just go with the weather and enjoy it. Bad thing - all the weeds that were hiding under the lovely snow...

When it was so snowy and cold last week, I fed the deer whenever I would see them coming in. And they were sure coming by to check things out on a regular basis!

First it was the little ones - a whole herd of the young ones were traveling together.

Next it was the girls - the future moms have banded up, too. Safety in numbers.

The bucks are always the last ones in. They are very furtive and that is probably how they manage to live long enough to grow antlers. Note the fellow on the left with just one antler. He came to us a couple of years back looking really thin and alone. First he was always by himself but later was accepted by the girls and now runs with the herd of bucks. When he first arrived, he had just one broken antler - now he has one good antler - he must have had some pedicle damage when he was young and cannot grow the other antler.

If the deer came by today, they would need some good boots. All that melting snow has created bog like conditions here. It is one mucky swamp out there and will take a long time to dry out. No worries about doing any yard work here yet!