Fawns of spring

TOM CASKA
Posted 5/30/18

Their noses leave a ghost impression as they press against the window of the train. Others scurry across the aisle to catch a glimpse, if only for a fleeting moment. The “oohs and ahha” …

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Fawns of spring

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Their noses leave a ghost impression as they press against the window of the train. Others scurry across the aisle to catch a glimpse, if only for a fleeting moment. The “oohs and ahha” bring a grin to this jaded face of mine, but I enjoy the scene before me none the less. As the chatter begins it seems no one can agree as to what they are seeing, some see only one, others two and the sharpest of eyes actually see the three that are standing before them. Seeing them standing like statues, some believe they are not real at all. “How can they be real?” says the youngest in a very authoritative tone. “They are not moving even though we are so close to them. Someone put them there. I am sure of it,” she says. Some nod in agreement; others just stare. Missing the scene altogether are the “fawns” along for the trip. These “fawns” have their heads bent, fingers typing away like mad, eyes glazed over in a trance, staring at a screen waiting for an answer or a like or a new photo to pass on.

The ones enjoying the first sight of a family of three are the adults, acting like they have never seen such a sight. They have been giddy the whole ride north. Laughing and talking over each other, there is a roar in the otherwise quiet car. I can’t blame them, I have seen this before. These are many of the first-time travelers to our mountains, and nature is as foreign to them as hailing a cab might be to us locals. They attempt to get the attention of their “fawns” to look up; a few do, if only to appease them.

As the train leaves the station, all eyes are looking out at the beauty of our mountains and the forest that covers them. Trees are filling out the canopy that will keep us cool this summer. Flowers are beginning to bloom. The cool streams trickle down the slopes to the rivers in the valley below. Yes, life is back to the Upper Delaware Valley after its long winter’s nap, a welcome sight indeed. Out the corner of my eye I see mamma deer wag her tail to say good bye; her fawns begin to move from the safety of her shadow. I am jaded indeed seeing deer as an enemy to my gardens and a foe to chase for my pups.

Unfortunately, the human “fawns” on the train have missed the action altogether. The ones with ear buds in might as well be on another planet. Sad the only deer they see will be the video or photo someone posts. They are letting the world pass them by. Meanwhile, nothing is being lost to the adult “kids” on the train, who have been having a great ride. There is plenty to see and many a story to be told at the end of the line.

This routine will play out now for much of the summer through the fall as our mountains triple in population for the summer, ‘til old man winter calls the swallows go back to the warmer climates. I hope they all packed a sweater or two, since these nights can still be quite chilly. Meanwhile, we will enjoy watching the fawns of spring grow. Their white spots and wide eyes are cute indeed. I just wonder if someone could invent an electronic device like the ones the human “fawns” use for Mother Nature’s fawns. Maybe, just maybe that would give them a distraction to keep them away from my garden. Ah, the fawns of spring.

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