Apples for a Deer

8-21-10 Pinkham Notch, NH

As I drove towards NH on a trip to help a friend run a booth at a Pow Wow my nerves stirred and my stomach tossed and turned. Anxiety was beginning to dig into my every being. I tried breathing and peaceful thoughts. The road traveled on and on.

Soon enough I was in Pinkham Notch and making my way to the half way point and sweat was starting to appear on my forehead. I needed something to ease my mind. Something to break the tightening grip anxiety was gaining on me.

Past the Highland Center, past the Auto Road, past the campground, and past the Ranger Station. Whoa there.....

No not past the Ranger Station. Something caught my eye and I pulled to the side of the road. I wasn't sure what or if I really saw something but I was drawn. So I step out of the car and grab the camera. I slowly walk towards the area that caught my eyes. I seeing nothing and I hear nothing but yet I move forward. My anxiety slipping to the rear of my mind as I begin to focus on little movements through the trees.

I take the wide turn and suddenly I see a young Buck tucked around some trees. I get to a decent angle and he has yet to bolt. A good sign and a good feeling. Suddenly his head raises and he knows I am there. Our eyes meet but there is no fear. Just a simple understanding of we are both here and that it is ok.

Suddenly he stands on his hinds legs and lurches into the tree awkwardly. I am sure he is about to go but I am wrong as he lands back on the ground with a green apple securely in his mouth. He drops it to the ground and then proceeds to eat it. An amazing site to see.

Anxiety is now gone and replaced with total excitement. I just saw a deer stand and pick and apple! How cool was that I think.

I move forward as the deer begins to scout the tree again. Amazingly we are both narrowing the distance between us as he is walking to my side of the trees. Now just a mere 15 yards apart out eyes meet again. I bow my head in deference to the young buck. This afteral his terrain and I am just an observer as long as he allows.


He looks up and then looks at me. I kneel to show I am no threat and he looks back into the tree and spots just the right apple. Up again and into the tree. Down again he eats the apple.

I sit in amazement as this show happens before and is almost too close for me to get all of him in the camera frame. I do not feel fear and the buck shows no signs of fear either. There is an acceptance and an understanding.

Again he take a few steps in my direction. Other cars pass us on busy Rte 16 but no t a soul interrupts our moment. Again he looks directly at me and then to the tree. Again up and down with the apple. So close now I can hear the crunching as he chews it.

He looks up and picks up an apple that was laying on the ground and swallows this one whole. His ears go up and so does his tail. No he is alert and so am I but I do not feel fear.

I know without looking exactly what is happening and he bolts for the woods next to us. A car has pulled to a stop.

My anxiety now gone I can carry on my journey. A smile on my face and a warmth in my heart.

All it took were apples for a deer.

You may see the images of this encounter here........