MORNING SURPRISE

During the winter months, mule deer are frequent morning visitors in the lower meadows. Only in the winter are the buck, doe and yearling together as a family. As the warm weather approaches, the mule deer will head for the higher mountain meadow, leaving the yearling with the nurturing doe. Surrounded by sage and juniper, this ultra-alert trio directs its attention totally toward the viewer. But, in the blink of an eye, they could leap off into the woods with their surprisingly graceful, stiff-legged bound.