I'm not sure exactly what day it was late last summer

when she appeared in the front yard

just off the south deck.

So big all over, so spindly with her legs

taller than my head...

she proceeded to strip my tree's branches

from the inner trunk out-- in one fell swoop.

I madly grabbed the camera and crawled to the nearest window.

Snapping wildly, she never even noticed

so I snuck out on the deck to get a better view.

Remembering all the stupid tourist in

Yellowstone National Park over the years

getting gored by buffalo

I laughed at my foolish self

as I followed her around the house

using the back door now as a shield.

She peered up at me, continuing to prune our aspen trees

listening to me chew her out!

Then she proceeded around the house for another lap

and made her way up on the deck.

Tall, dark sienna brown, covered with flies

and content to own my porch

I used another door to sneak up behind her for a closer look.

Finally, she tired of the chase and meandered down the deck steps

trotting off toward the road

as I clapped my hands and stomped my feet to

discouraged further damage to the foliage.