My Thanksgiving retreat was located on 355 acres of open meadows and redwood forests in the Santa Cruz mountains. It is not only a sanctuary for peaceful but stressed out yogis, but is a haven for wildlife as well.
![IMG_1185[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8NY4IkKbKODh4_vPRyw5p8B3xWM6zPesCWB3BQkPeVUetsVzn5wI5VvdWu9lXdA-ofk8L0TQ1eXGl3mKGGgy6tHb6UbmteMwXngqEOOlad-A2XaUk327SdGG_yCpBtnfILLfubMCrZw/s1600-h/IMG_1185%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg "IMG_1185[1]")
There were no turkeys on our vegetarian tables, but there were so many wild turkeys on the property that I had to wait for them to pass before I could drive out the gate.
The birds obviously knew that they were perfectly safe.
![IMG_1182[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw3HlwwTbkvbBIOdf0pgQHTI6j7nCc2gDgXLbF8JTGZYVej_z9LeE8TkVYDh-nn2rqDfOjTMvqzJHtdCix8zl8k-u-zx0Igl-5PbapJJkMGTO2m_9VVDi4HfzvaNGQcJmtqhOHe8Aq3Q/s1600-h/IMG_1182%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg "IMG_1182[1]")
The deer must have gotten the same memo. They weren’t particularly worried about the people, either.
![IMG_1141[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pKPHKu8MGlvfeD9d8y0KeaA7UMAVriJ-JHcgMqkmkDcTppS9P2pLunaaWJa124V5CU0pWwvX7Q2sywXCSx-2Lbso4TSAhjcmO_Z8cOUbssSi5Usa4Je15swT9ZpWnMA0ong2Qh7tXA0/s1600-h/IMG_1141%25255B1%25255D%25255B11%25255D.jpg "IMG_1141[1]")
I thought there were just these two grazing in a field that is located directly below a terrace where guests were enjoying the fresh autumn air.
![IMG_1143[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5iZl6pzf-u_aBV4TBfhe7XUPiWGx8rwVXsJCXwyXZDYHB1J13eEFTWqe1bwou5o2FbM9FH03kzjpGgl8yi-iee3TnQ8MfmN9v3v3YsvFV7XNb48rQ0_lRZX1XW_Qh2IiSx1krrbWb0o/s1600-h/IMG_1143%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg "IMG_1143[1]")
Then there were three.
![IMG_1140[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kS5cekNCokHbMMBNusosPSd3WfvlClnUeIvCPU_HRNeOx3nY-YHyRbf5UPAh4SUCJTbKGQjKU49ojVERkv0OyviClwZ47QtyEidD_jacaYYqSh7L6bJ1UpGt6FY9bIOtOhqRpi2D3js/s1600-h/IMG_1140%25255B1%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg "IMG_1140[1]")
A few minutes later, five.
![IMG_1146[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4orfzpsvjmIbgX0mcgb-VA2V2hOSsYX0VdX80v5ve5RKzATV_heRM6qBHchUwn-dKyYwNfVj9kJYQ-ZcAb3Yxo7yuaVlvc31Rs_dvsdJCffsNh7l0b0xmEsy1Qwza3dlzZeqP9nFesw/s1600-h/IMG_1146%25255B1%25255D%25255B18%25255D.jpg "IMG_1146[1]")
Looked like Deer Heaven to me!
I enjoyed seeing your photos of wildlife at the retreat. The first turkey picture is really good. Deer are so graceful - I'm glad they have a place to retreat from hunters, also.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I love the wildlife. Hard for me to understand the sport of Hunting for pleasure.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Most of us could actually stand to lose a few pounds, so I don't understand the urgency to hunt.
DeleteSounds like a lovely time with nature. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
DeleteA very peaceful Thanksgiving for you, the deer and the turkeys. Smart of you to take a break-you have been working hard getting ready for the show. Have a blessed day back at work:)
ReplyDeleteI guess all West Coast turkeys are thin, ours are also.. I thought it was our sparse brown vegetation. Love watching the wild animals, they are so relaxed about everything and are really in the NOW.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a photographer's dream to be able to roam around that place. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit and relax.
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