Today I woke up to a sound my ears have grown unaccustomed to; the sound of trees rustling in the wind. It is one of my favourite sounds in the world; infinitely better than the honking taxis, droning garbage trucks and thumping pneumatic drills that welcome each new day in the heart of New York City. I was staying with a friend in upstate New York this weekend, in the sleepy little hamlet of Croton-on-Hudson, and it was a blissful escape from the furore of the metropolis. I stumbled out of bed and made myself a steaming hot cup of fresh coffee. It was raining, but there was a cafe-style umbrella over the table and chairs in the back garden, so I sat outside under the umbrella, savouring the earthy coffee, listening to the pitter patter of the rain and breathing in the sweet scented air. As I sat there, I realised I was being watched.
I very slowly reached for my camera, and took just these two shots, before putting my camera away and slowly sipping my coffee in the most magnificent company I could ever ask for, watching and being watched.
Where's my backpack? 
Love this, Ailsa!! Communing with nature… 🙂
I was, catbird, I was talking to the animals. I felt like Dr Doolittle. 😉
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That second shot is amazing. Beautifully done! Have fun away from the Apple! http://www.purehappytravel.com
Thanks Annie, I will. How is Alaska treating you?
I’m back in the homeland — but the Yukon was amazing. Thanks!
Really, truly beautiful, Ailsa!
BTW, I love Croton being described as “upstate” (it’s within a day’s kayaking from NYC, for one thing 😉 )
Ha ha, can you tell I’m not from around here, Vlad? 🙂 I always think of upstate in the same way I think of uptown, it’s north of where you are, it’s up-something 🙂 Yes, such a beautiful creature, I always feel terribly lucky when wild animals grace me with their presence, and even luckier when they feel comfortable enough to hang around.
A brilliant way to start the day! And fabulous photos, besides!
Thanks, Robin, I wish the start of every day could be as perfect as today. 🙂
Don’t we all!
Magnificent indeed! Brilliant shots!
Thanks Madhu, I feel very lucky to have shared my morning with such a beauty. 🙂
What a blessing! Its those unexpected moements that suddenly bring us closer to nature and God. And you had the camera to hand!!!! I now keep a small digital one wth me all the time as I’ve missed so many good shots!
I usually keep a camera close by at all times for the exact same reason, Anna 🙂
Wow! That is one exciting day. It started with a relaxing coffee to a adventurous encounter with the deer. Great post!
I couldn’t get over how big the deer was, I’ve seen much smaller deer before but this one was the size of a pony.
How wonderful 🙂
I know, the perfect start to my day 🙂
Lucky you to have the opportunity; and great shot as well!
Thanks Martin, I felt very lucky to have had such a wonderful chance encounter. And to have had my camera with me at the time. 😉
How beautiful. What a fabulous way to start the day. Coffee outdoors and Bambi. I would have been beside myself. Luck you 🙂
I highly recommend coffee and Bambi as the best way ever to start the day 🙂
How lucky are you!! I’m always on the lookout for deer while wandering the woods, and here you are having coffee with them. I’m hating you just a little bit right now 😀
Yours truly,
SJTR
LOL, SJTR, I love that you’re hating me (just a little bit). Next time you’re wandering in the woods not seeing deer, think of me sipping coffee with my four-footed friend. 😉
That’s right, rub it in!
That little bit is getting a little bit bigger 😛
These are exquisite shots – what a lovely moment! We live in the woods, and I love my porch and deck for this reason – although our deer usually tear off at the slightest movement – great capture!
Thanks, I was so happy my little four-footed friend decided to hang out with me for a bit. Such a beautiful animal, I could get lost in those eyes. 🙂
Takes your breath away! 🙂
It certainly did that to me 🙂
Great one ailsapm, you should be working with wildlife, they seem to trust you, or maybe you just happen to meet the showoffs!
…or maybe I bring out the inner showoff in the wildlife I meet 🙂
So cool!
I thought so too 🙂
WOW —- that is awesome. I love these shots. The eyes and the eayes on these dear lil guys is precious. So lucky – so cool.
It was such a delightful surprise to see those lovely eyes staring out of the forest at me. 🙂
WOW – forest … it’s like I’m reading a fairytale. Soooo … lucky.
I felt like I was in one! My friend’s house is surrounded by forest, it was just the most beautiful setting.
that’s ears – I should go night -night … LOL
I guessed ears 🙂 Don’t you just hate the moment when you’ve hit send and then see a typo?
YUP …!!!
We had a similar experience last summer 2011 in Zeeland (Netherlands).
It’s great to realise we’re all part of this beautiful nature in a way like that isn’t it?
Such an adorable two pictures you share here… I love the gaze in their eyes… It’s so desarming is it not?
For now, I still didn’t found the translation of my poem as I got derived by this beauty, but I continue looking for it Ailsa =)
I agree, Dauw, there is something quite magical about a shared moment with another animal, it fills me with awe and wonder. I see you found my translation of your poem and I’m very happy you published it on your blog. Really lovely poem.
Great post! What a thrill to capture the moment in a peaceful morning!
Thanks Amy, yes, it was a really wonderful moment 🙂
Wonderful!