Animals

So there I am, sweating to Lady Gaga on my ipod at the gym, and I look out the window wall and see a young teenage deer fawn munching the grass, strolling around quite contentedly.  There was no danger for her; the valley of the building backs up to the forest behind a hospital where no one will disturb her.  It was such a peaceful sight to see and yet a jarring reminder that I was the one behaving unnaturally.  An elliptical machine?  Climate control?  iPod? 

But tonight's post isn't about man vs. nature.  It's about the beauty, peaceful symmetry of animals.  I am the proud owner of two fine cats and I often admire the way they stretch, fold and use their bodies as acrobats.  I've owned dogs too, and envy the power in their legs to run and the expression of their faces.  This close-up look at this fawn made me realize how lithe and graceful they are.  Her legs were so long and thin yet built exactly the way she needed to use them - to run through thick forests.  In honor of all the colors and beauty in the animal kingdom, here are a few of my favorite animal snaps. - l.o.d.