My son lives in the suburbs like we do, but his backyard has a special kind of neighbor — it borders a wide, open farm. This past week, while he was off enjoying a vacation, my son asked me to look after his backyard garden and pick any ripe vegetables.
So, yesterday morning, I drove over to his place, expecting nothing more than some quiet time and a few zucchini. But as I stepped into the backyard, I was greeted by an unexpected guest — a single deer sitting peacefully in the field just beyond the backyard fence.
Now, deer aren’t exactly rare around here, but there was something magical about this moment. It wasn’t a group darting across the road or grazing in the distance — just one deer, sitting calmly, looking directly at me as if we were old friends.
What surprised me most was how still it was. It didn’t run or flinch. It just stayed there, watching me for a long time. I stood for a moment, soaking it in, then quietly took a few photos of this graceful creature before turning my attention to the task at hand.
Inside my son’s fenced-in garden, I began picking ripe zucchini, fragrant oregano, and clusters of cherry tomatoes, completely forgetting about my silent observer.
When I remembered and looked up again, I noticed the deer had moved — now prancing and nibbling its way through the crops in the nearby field (not sure what they were growing, but that deer seemed to approve).
I made a small deliberate sound to get his attention as I shifted. The deer lifted its head, ears alert, eyes soft. I managed to snap another photo before it returned to its breakfast.
With my basket full of fresh veggies and my heart full from the quiet beauty of the morning, I walked back to my car, feeling a little more connected to nature than I had expected. It was a lovely, peaceful start to the day — just me, a deer, and the soft rhythm of the vegetable garden.
Sharing this post on Viewing Nature With Eileen weekly linky share.
It seems appropriate to share a zucchini recipe.
Roasted Zucchini Soup- Delicious, light, and fragrant! (link to recipe)
Such a beautiful animal and what a magical moment. The garden looks pretty fabulous too!
ReplyDeleteThe deer looks cool, calm and composed as if waiting for a photograph. Haha! What a wonderful surprise it was. The farm fresh produce is heaven and the Zucchini looks good. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Have a fantastic week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThose young zucchinis look really tender. Did the deer look for food in your son's garden?
ReplyDeleteThat deer is beautiful! Does your son have any problems with them getting into his garden?
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. The deer and garden are amazing. I posted about zucchini too. Hope you'll check it out. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, all of it, your moment, the deer and the garden! Have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThat deer is beautiful, you got some very good photographs.
ReplyDeleteThat soup looks delicious.
All the best Jan
What a special morning!
ReplyDeleteTandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com
The freedom to pick fresh veggies at will, and the company of a deer, seems like a perfect morning to me. I hope that you are able to repeat the pleasure. Ask your son to stay away an extra week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat in many way…the veggies and the deer. How lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love the brief magic when I connect with another creature softly, elegantly, like your deer. The garden is also fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of that zucchini plant, so healthy, and the soup sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
How lovely you got to get fresh vegetables! Soup looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I loved it all, from the beginning to end. It was so nice to get a surprise visit from the deer while tending to your son's garden. And you got some really nice pictures too. I see many deer around here, but early summer there seemed to be more sightings. They come very close to the house, and I just stop and gaze. They are a special animal. One came right in my front yard. I wonder if this one nibbles on some of your son's garden goods from time to time?
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Wonderful adventure you had. The deer almost looked like it was a deer that folks feed. Not afraid of humans. Zukes. Yum. Had them today with lunch.
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful way to spend your morning. Your sons garden looks really nice.
ReplyDeleteI love your morning writing. It is written in a way that makes me relive the moment with you. ❤️
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise to find/see!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful encounter! ✨ There’s something so special about those quiet, unhurried moments in nature — almost like a little gift you weren’t expecting. I can imagine how that peaceful deer made the garden time feel extra meaningful. And ending the morning with a basket of fresh veggies (and a soup recipe!) sounds just perfect. 🍅🦌🥒
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet surprise to see the deer!
ReplyDeleteI love that peaceful deer! How nice that he stayed put for you to take pics too. The soup looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to have a deer there keeping you company while your pick your veggies.
Great photos of the deer! Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
What a nice touch of nature to your morning. Your soup recipe looks good, also.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely morning surprise, nature’s gifts are always the best!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful -- and beautifully written -- post! This is my favorite part: "just one deer, sitting calmly, looking directly at me as if we were old friends." It does indeed sound magical, an experience you were meant to have. 🦌💚
ReplyDelete