We were watching an eagle flying down river this morning and just at that moment, noticed some movement on the shore line close to the first bench on the River Trail. Suddenly a deer ran out onto the thin ice. For a few steps it was good and then it went through. Thrashing and splashing; desperately trying to climb out of the freezing water. It finally made it to the other shore.
I had my camera in hand in time to record the successful end to this morning’s Nature story. Or so I thought.
The next thing we knew, instead of heading into the forest, it headed along the shore line (on the ice??) running up river.
It did not make any sense why it would be running along the shore line, up river. We held our breath as it broke through again…
….and then struggled to open water and started across the river again
It seemed to have little problem swimming against the current and within a minute it came out just down from us
It seemed pretty happy to be out of that water.
As it ran by the house it stopped, looked right at me and I am sure it was saying “ Did you see that? I made it!”
Stu and I were discussing why it would have gone back across the river twice??
One scenario- If a wolf was in pursuit, crossing the river once bought the deer some time; but if it circled back, hiding it’s scent in the river twice, it had a much better chance of staying safe. Pretty smart…. taking those extra steps to protect itself.