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Deer at a distance Deer at a distance
(about 17 hours later)
Far out over the treeless, hedgeless fen fields, a digestive-biscuit-coloured smudge resolved itself through binoculars into a Chinese water deer.Far out over the treeless, hedgeless fen fields, a digestive-biscuit-coloured smudge resolved itself through binoculars into a Chinese water deer.
Seated out in the open, legs half-tucked away in the manner of a ruminating cow, the animal in full view gave an opportunity for a long, detailed inspection. How detailed? At such a distance, optics could only take my vision so far: prior knowledge seemed to do the rest.Seated out in the open, legs half-tucked away in the manner of a ruminating cow, the animal in full view gave an opportunity for a long, detailed inspection. How detailed? At such a distance, optics could only take my vision so far: prior knowledge seemed to do the rest.
A cloud rose on the horizon as if a giant had smacked the dusty fen
The eyes on its raised head were mere black specks. What about the incisors that droop over a water deer’s bottom lip and give the animal the appearance of a doe-faced Dracula? Were they really visible here or did imagination fill in the toothless gaps?The eyes on its raised head were mere black specks. What about the incisors that droop over a water deer’s bottom lip and give the animal the appearance of a doe-faced Dracula? Were they really visible here or did imagination fill in the toothless gaps?
An upwards tilt of the binoculars took in a fox prowling along a distant dyke. This was a slow stalker, an animal at full, contained stretch, each step through long grass paced with total concentration. Once it leapt up and pounced, but seemingly to no avail.An upwards tilt of the binoculars took in a fox prowling along a distant dyke. This was a slow stalker, an animal at full, contained stretch, each step through long grass paced with total concentration. Once it leapt up and pounced, but seemingly to no avail.
A cloud rose on the horizon as if a giant had smacked the dusty fen. It was a tight flock of finches – linnets or greenfinches – flashing light underwings. Had a merlin streaking low flushed them, or a pigeon pretending to be a peregrine?A cloud rose on the horizon as if a giant had smacked the dusty fen. It was a tight flock of finches – linnets or greenfinches – flashing light underwings. Had a merlin streaking low flushed them, or a pigeon pretending to be a peregrine?
All the while, a loud ringing, swishing, chattering chorus came from high in the bare farmhouse trees behind me. A great flock of goldfinches was in conversation. A sudden hush preceded a sortie into burdock plants along a ditch. Thirty or 40 birds swung low on the stems, their beaks savaging the seedheads, making lighter calls, distinguishable now that the flock had separated.All the while, a loud ringing, swishing, chattering chorus came from high in the bare farmhouse trees behind me. A great flock of goldfinches was in conversation. A sudden hush preceded a sortie into burdock plants along a ditch. Thirty or 40 birds swung low on the stems, their beaks savaging the seedheads, making lighter calls, distinguishable now that the flock had separated.
They made for the trees again as one, the bold markings on wings, heads and bodies forming uniform patterns as they flew. Such restless, unpredictable behaviour would make it harder for any predatory bird to surprise them.They made for the trees again as one, the bold markings on wings, heads and bodies forming uniform patterns as they flew. Such restless, unpredictable behaviour would make it harder for any predatory bird to surprise them.
The place where the deer had sat was empty. It was bounding away over the stubble. Perhaps it was fleeing from danger, but just maybe it was cantering in anticipation of a good feeding place or a cosy secluded spot to doze off the afternoon.The place where the deer had sat was empty. It was bounding away over the stubble. Perhaps it was fleeing from danger, but just maybe it was cantering in anticipation of a good feeding place or a cosy secluded spot to doze off the afternoon.
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