A few weeks ago I was roaming around Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains and found lots of deer. More than a hundred deer. But they were all bucks. A few days ago I was back in Cades Cove and again found plenty of deer, but this time they were all female! The doe above was enjoying a lush patch of grass beside the road leading to the Abrams Falls trailhead. I walked right up beside her, but she was not going to budge from that grass! Here she is again in the photo below taking a break from the feast.
The doe in the photo above is looking over into the dead brown brush leftover from winter, wondering why the rest of her herd is missing out on the tasty new shoots that she found. They weren’t so bold as this one, skittering off into the weeds whenever I approached.
Cades Cove is a wonderful place to be with nature. It’s the only place that I know in the Smoky Mountains where you can be among deer in this way. If you do, you come to know them as friendly and peaceful creatures.
When you plan your Smoky Mountains getaway, I’d be delighted if you found time to visit the William Britten Gallery on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg. You might find a photo there to capture your memories and take them home with you. Check out the Featured Photo section of this site to see most of the framed pieces featured in my Gallery.
