along with the cats (see instant comments gonna getcha), the family homestead has frequent outdoor visitors, ranging from the daily birds and squirrels at the feeders, to the occasional bear and moose.

then there's the white-tailed deer.

as you can quickly surmise, it's a very rural area about the humble ranch and the deer started appearing about five years ago after a harsh winter left them little vegetation to chew on. my parents starting providing them with feed, and now, the deer (which occasionally number up to 15) wander by a few times each winter since it's a homeground to them now. this excited kiefer greatly, causing him to gaze out longingly out the window, barking at them and whining at us to let him chase them.

some neighbours aren't amused, since they eat the crops and they have eaten one or two budding trees around our property. still, i don't mind. the y2k new year's had about seven of them ambling about in the low moonlight, and they'd eat merrily, not scared away like they normally would be by all the window watchers. i think one of them even curiously came up to a window and looked in.
it certainly beats local television most of the time (piddly four channel basic service et al).