Summer Visitors
It is summer.
The trees have grown dense with deep green leaves, casting generous patches of shade beneath them. Spring flowers have quietly bloomed and faded under the stronger sun. Peaches and watermelons are at their sweetest, and nothing tastes quite as refreshing as ice cream on a hot afternoon.
It's the season of straw hats, shorts, flip-flops, colorful pool floats, crystal-clear water, fresh corn, juicy watermelon, and the sound of water splashing in backyard pools.
A few weeks ago, the temperature climbed well above 90°F. I was sitting by the large window in my living room, as I often do, looking out into the backyard. At the very back of the property, I noticed what looked like a pair of antlers. As I looked more closely, I realized it wasn't just standing there—it was lying down.
Then I noticed there were two of them.
I've seen deer many times here on Long Island, but I'd never seen two adult deer resting so peacefully in the open without one keeping watch. One had antlers, the other didn't. About the same size, they looked like a mature pair. I decided to think of them as a couple.
I couldn't help but wonder how hot they must have felt, wearing those beautiful fur coats in the middle of summer. They looked completely exhausted, simply resting beneath the deep shade of the trees.
For a brief moment, I wished I could invite them into my swimming pool to cool off.
Instead, I decided the kindest thing I could offer was to leave them undisturbed and let them enjoy a quiet afternoon.
About twenty or thirty minutes later, they heard a sound from somewhere beyond the yard. They slowly stood up, looked around for a moment, and quietly disappeared back into the woods behind the valley.
The forecast says another heat wave is on its way this week.
Maybe I'll leave a shallow puddle of water at the back of the yard. Nothing much—just enough for my deer couple to stop by for a drink, or perhaps cool their feet on one of the hottest afternoons of the summer.
I hope they're doing well.
And wherever you are, I hope you're finding your own little patch of shade this summer.
Stay cool and stay safe.