Our neighbour called to tell us a deer had wandered into our backyard. Camera in hand, I slipped outside. The doe, stock still, watched me from behind a screen of foliage, as if she had decided that the best way to disappear was to become a bush.
I was minding my own business, sketching the riparian plants in a secluded spot by Malibu Creek, when I was suddenly aware that I was not alone. In fact, a Large Creature was right at my back. I was so startled—and then immediately relieved that it was not a mountain lion* or a crazy human. It took a second for my adrenaline to calm down and for me to start sketching the friendly doe, who slowly (silently!) wandered off. I aspire to be so quiet in the wilds.
* A pet dog was taken by a lion a couple of days ago, a few miles from here.
