However, one of the nice things about the job was driving in to town early in the morning. Twice I had the wonderful opportunity to see a mule deer doe up close as she crossed the road in front of us. Once, we stopped to see her, and she stopped and turned her head - as if posing for our enjoyment.

Mule deer are still a little thrill for me. One of those animals I saw in books and thought "How fun it would be to see one." Where I grew up, we had Whitetail Deer. Everywhere I have lived and traveled since then, I've only seen Whitetail deer. And now, all I see are the Mule Deer (although my Audubon book of the Southwest says there are Whitetail here).

My first impression is that Mule deer look - well - teddy bear cuddly compared to the leggy grace of the Whitetail. Mule deer are a little smaller, more compact and heavier boned, and a dark reddish brown. This time of year - they are fuzzy. I suppose that is winter coat.

The deer we have seen here, although wary, seem less skittish than the Whitetail. Of course, we see them on Armendais Ranch (Ted Turner's place - no hunting allowed - yay Ted), and in the State Park (Elephant Butte) on our way into town. So for the most part, these deer are not hunted here - although they may be in other parts of their range. By contrast, I've never seen a Whitetail stop and look back - they are almost always a flash of white and a blur of gold as they bound away at top speed.

I am told there are Golden Eagles and even Mexican Eagles who will soon return with the summer, to join all our hawks. I can hardly wait! Meanwhile, the doves and small brown and grey birds make the desert a riot of sound in the early morning when I go out to feed the goats.

Well, time for me to go.

Good birding!