springing

It's amazing to me how suddenly all forms of life appear as soon as it warms up a bit. Throughout the winter, there's always an odd spider or mosquito in the house, but this weekend we had a wasp, an undentified ant like bug with a beautiful red tail, and a number of moths. In fact there's one fluttering right now, right outside the window where I've moved my lap top and desk.
Like the crocuses and other early spring bulbs that seem to pop out of nowhere, overnight - these signs of life are always welcome. I like the little insect surprises. There's something about them that fascinates me. Where do they come from? How did they get in here? I try my best to scoop them up and take them back outside where they belong.
I haven't seen a lot of deer this season. Maybe I've just been too busy, or not getting up early enough. Maybe, because the winter's been so mild they're not hanging out in my yard as much foraging for food. I haven't found many animal bones this season either, although to be honest, I haven't exactly been hunting for them.
So today, it was a nice surprise while hiking in Buttercup, to come upon 7 doe grazing upwind from me. I was able to stand and watch them for a nice long while. Because they didn't have my scent, they weren't spooked, and I could take them in. Their shapes in the distance. The graphic display of their tails, looking something like an African mask when in the down position. When they run, the tail pops up and is all white.
Likewise, I was suprised to come upon a deer carcass a little way down the trail. It's amazing how quickly they decompose, get torn apart, and still there's tons of fur all about. I dragged it off to the side of the trail in the hopes of going back tomorrow or next week. There were a few hoofs still there, and I am still collecting those to make a rattle.