KEY2009 -- Deer Key Deer

Just north of Key West, is Deer Key. Back in the day, before trains, planes and automobiles, apparently deer could swim like fish. Because even 100 miles out from the mainland, they managed to end up on the island. Wikipedia mentions a land bridge during a glacier – but I prefer to picture a bunch of deer swimming through the water in mass. Whatever the case, the Key Deer breed ended up on the island where they survived hurricanes and, (im assuming) sharks before Man came in the 1500’s. Now they’re endangered.

Speed limits on US-1 are reduced through the area, fences line both sides. These deer wander around like nothings going on. Roads, front yards – they watched their surroundings but never seemed like the typical skittish deer im used to everywhere else.

They’re also surprisingly small. Almost mini-horse size, as opposed to their white tailed deer cousins. . .

Just munching on the side of the road. . .

. . .“um, are we being watched?”. . .

. . .“can i help you?”. . .

. . .“can't see me”. . .

. . .all the deer seemed to be comfortable around the houses on the island. This one was in somebody's front yard. . .

. . .another one on the side of the road, just grabing a snack. . .

. . .another one passing through somebody's front yard. Not sure what the growth on the inside right leg was. . .

. . .more in the bushes along the road. . .

. . .young one on the side of the road. . .

. . .Mom finally got him to move away from us. . .

. . .aparently this kid had a short attention span, kept stopping and eating when it's mom was trying to get him to keep moving away. . .

. . .never challenged, but always watched to make sure we werent going to hurt the kid. . .

. . .after turning around, the rest of the herd showed up. . .

. . .Mom's still watching us. . .

. . .I think this one was the alpha male. He wasnt afraid of us either, seemed to think about coming up to the car the goldfish crackers we were eating. . .

. . .“Dude, you got some goldfish?”