Herd Instinct

So I'm straightening up a little after breakfast when I notice a deer stroll out of the woods behind the house. It's kind a of a stubby thing, still with its dark, winter coloration. I really enjoy seeing these animals in the yard, even though I know the damage they do to gardens and shrubs (and I'm planning a garden for this year, so it's something I've been thinking about), and this one was only about 20 feet from the house. Then another one popped out of the woods behind the first. And then I realized there was a long line of them, all following the same path into the yard. Nine in all. I have often seen 1, 2 or 3 in the yard, and occasionally 4 at once. But nine is a new record for me. Cool.