Beneath the Old Apple Tree

I nearly drove by the two deer. They blended in with the background that well. Fortunately, I spotted them as I passed the old apple tree.

I found the first place to turn around and hoped my hungry subjects would still be there. They were, and I quickly snapped a few shots before they disappeared into the forest.

These two buck deer were on the search for apples. Photo by Bruce Stambaugh

I was on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The area between Milam Gap and Big Meadows is peppered with apple trees planted by farmers before the park was established in 1935. The trees still produce apples, and deer forage on them in the fall.

Unfortunately, this pair of bucks was late to the party. All the reachable apples and those on the ground had already been consumed.

Gravity and nature will eventually have their say, enabling the deer to satisfy their taste for bright red apples.

The two bucks before they scampered into the woods. Photo by Bruce Stambaugh

Author: Bruce Stambaugh

I am a writer, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, Anabaptist, and community activist. My life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh

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