X-pointer

This is the closest I've been to the big male deer--the short end of a long zoom lens. He's the one on the right, and has at least six points (on his antlers).

Of course, he may have visited during the night. He and/or his harem have eaten well this week. Hostas, lilies, sunflowers, sedum as well as all the tender shoots in the woods. When it's misty and warm like this, the young females come into the garden during the day too, or look out, innocent and brown-eyed, from the woods next to the house. They are so pretty you can't be mad at them for eating the flowers: rather, I'm learning what they prefer (the hostas, tulips, lilies) and what they have not touched (daffodils, the allium, the rhododendrons, the bee balm).