Another New Autumn Critter... The Mule Deer

 “And every year there is a brief, startling moment
When we pause in the middle of a long walk home and
Suddenly feel something invisible and weightless
Touching our shoulders, sweeping down from the air:
It is the autumn wind pressing against our bodies;
It is the changing light of fall falling on us.”

 
~Edward Hirsch,

  Wild Gratitude

 

Here is another cool critter, the Mule Deer. We spotted it in Marin county a couple weeks ago, on a trip to Bodega Bay. We stopped to consult where we were on HWY 1, and there is was, standing in a field of dry grass! It was a few yards away, just standing in the autumn sun. He posed for a few photos, then went slowly along his way. Mule Deer are fairly aggressive if approached, not that I would approach any wild animal, but I am glad I got to learn about them anyway. Sometimes I like to put the camera down and study about all the amazing beauty that's right in front of me! I wonder what amazing critter will come my way next?

 

 

A Twilight Visitor To My Door In Autumn

 

“His eyes reflected the open grey of the autumnal sky.” 

~Juliet Marillier,

  Daughter of the Forest

 

The Praying Mantis is such a delicate creature, and yet does so much work in the garden, devouring naughty little creatures, such as aphids. This one is a California Praying Mantis, and it's gorgeous! Harmless to humans, it simply visited the corner of my condo, posed for the million pictures I took of it, and quietly went about it's way. Praying Mantis do most of the hunting at night, and that's kinda cool. I guess that's why I rarely see them in the daylight. I am enjoying discovering new things to photograph, especially the critters I would ordinarily run from! I am becoming brave in my old age!    

 

 

The Darkening October

 

“He couldn't stop smelling the air in great, deep, loud sniffs. It was so delicious. It smelled of water, and mud, and maple trees, and autumn.”

 

~Elizabeth Enright,

  The Four-Story Mistake

 

I went to Sacramento yesterday, to peep some leaves at my favorite park in the city, Crocker park, which is so named because it sits right next to the Crocker Museum. Sacramento is known for, among other things, it's love of trees. It's estimated that there are approximately 1 million tress, all within the city limits! That's a lot of leaves! And it's home for a lot of critters! I have kept to just a couple key areas on the city, for doing my Sacramento leaf peeping, but this year, as time allows, I think I would like to explore more parks and the capitol grounds. As you can see, Autumn is getting off to a slow start there, but that's fine, I need more time to consider what my options are. One thing is for sure, October is almost over and the days are getting darker earlier, so early mornings are going to have to become my friend. For right now, I know it's always just down the road, and there is always something to see!