Blacktail Deer Plateau In the Morning

Osprey dogged her mother's steps, overjoyed to have her attention without having to share it with anyone else. As Hawkeye stretched in the clearing just beyond their home, Junior clung closely, nipping at the Alpha female's legs when she wasn't busy weaving in between them. Once, she stopped beneath her and looked up, only to realize her food source was hovering there. She latched on for a few seconds, then let go. She wasn't hungry; it was just the novelty of it that momentarily enchanted her.

When asked what she'd like to do, Osprey Jr. didn't understand the question but nevertheless replied, "Ba, ba, ba!" Her blue eyes glowed as she began to run in enthusiastic circles around Hawkeye, big paws slapping the hard-packed earth and little tail flung into the air like a black banner.