>Herd Instinct

>So I’m straightening up a little after breakfast when I notice a deer stroll out of the woods behind the house. It’s kind a of a stubby thing, still with its dark, winter coloration. I really enjoy seeing these animals in the yard, even though I know the damage they do to gardens and shrubs (and I’m planning a garden for this year, so it’s something I’ve been thinking about), and this one was only about 20 feet from the house. Then another one popped out of the woods behind the first. And then I realized there was a long line of them, all following the same path into the yard. Nine in all. I have often seen 1, 2 or 3 in the yard, and occasionally 4 at once. But nine is a new record for me. Cool.

About the author

I am the author of three novels--THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE, OLIVER'S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY--and three story collections--IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES, and WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW, winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction. I am also the co-founder and former editor of Prime Number Magazine and the editor of the award-winning anthology series EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET.

Comments

  1. >Cliff, you should sell hunting licenses on your property! I live in Midtown Atlanta so don’t see deer, but weirdly, we have seen a red fox, a wild turkey, and we have a pair hawks buzzing our yards.

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