Madronas and Deer
The Madronas at Deception Pass are amazing this year. I have never seen the abundance of fruit on the trees like they have right now. Yesterday, I went over to the State Park to get some photos of the trees. While at the top of Goose Rock, I made a couple of new friends, a pair of young Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). As usual, I went hiking to find one thing, and ended up finding something else unexpected. Surprise encounters like this are always the best. The pair were not fully grown. If I can use the observations from my own yard , I am guessing these are siblings. After they leave their mother's side, they will stick together for a few years until they mature. Another habit exhibited by deer is a tendency to follow the same trails and routes from day to day. I have also seen this in my yard. That would mean this pair could be frequent visitors to the top of Goose Rock, the highest poin...