The Deer Family

The deer are among our most frequent and beloved wildlife visitors at Cedar Rise. A family group of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) has made our property part of their regular rounds, appearing like clockwork at dawn and dusk.

A Growing Family

We’ve watched this deer family grow over the years. Each spring brings the excitement of spotting new fawns, their spotted coats providing camouflage as they learn the rhythms of life in the Pacific Northwest. The matriarch doe, whom we’ve come to recognize by her distinctive markings, leads her family through their daily routines with quiet confidence.

Dawn and Dusk Rituals

Like clockwork, the deer appear in the meadow as the first light touches the cedars. They graze peacefully, occasionally lifting their heads to check for danger — though they’ve grown comfortable enough with our presence to resume their breakfast without concern. The evening visit is often longer, as they settle in near the cedar grove as darkness falls.

Coexisting with the Cats

The deer and our cats have developed an interesting relationship. Lady Friend, our outdoor cat, gives them wide berth. The indoor cats watch through the windows with intense fascination, sometimes chittering at these large visitors they’ll never meet. The deer, for their part, seem entirely unbothered by their feline audience.

Seasonal Changes

In winter, when food becomes scarce, we sometimes see the deer browsing closer to the house. Spring brings playful fawns bounding through the meadow. Summer means lazy afternoons in the shade of the big maple. And fall brings the occasional glimpse of bucks, their antlers catching the light as they move through the property.