Early mornings are my favorite time of day. As I said goodbye to my husband at the back door recently, we both spotted some deer in the woods out back. After he left, I continued to watch them as they are beautiful and majestic animals.
When they came out of the woods, I realized there were six of them and one was clearly the leader. In reading up on the habits of deer, I learned they are social animals, often traveling in herds. They are led by a dominant doe, so I was correct in observing that there was clearly a leader in this group of six.
The leader led this group through our yard and into our neighbor’s yard. As they moved into the front yard, the leader stood still near the street, watching, ears twitching, and very alert to danger. Only when she started to cross the street, did the others also begin to move once again.
And that is when it all became most interesting. Once across, the leader leaped over the wooden rail of the house on the other side of the street. She could have walked about two feet over to the right and not needed to leap, but she chose the straightest route and leaped.
And all the others followed suit.
Not one took the alternate route to avoid jumping the fence. Each one in turn, followed their leader. It amazed me to see one white tail after another jump the fence with such grace and ease.
The sight has stirred some thoughts …
I hope you will join me at Woman to Woman HERE where I’ll share the lessons these deer brought on that recent morning.
