For the past few months, I believe I am safe in assuming, we’ve all experienced ‘the call in’ and ‘take out order’ SYNDROME created by the pandemic.  As things begin loosening up, we have begun the new adventure of DINING OUT. And I mean, literally, OUT!!  As in parking lots, lawns, walkways or anyplace tables and chairs could be placed to help facilitate the eating of food!!  I give credit for the creativity of our food providers along with a hearty, THANK YOU!!  There is a lot of extra work required of them in this endeavor!!  

OBSERVATION:  There is still one place you may not eat while dinning OUT, and that is IN!!!  

SECOND OBSERVATION:  This course of events has even gone so far as to cause the name change of a well-known restaurant, a well-known restaurant located amid the grand OPEN SPACES of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  The restaurant’s old name was The Walpack Inn ***NEW NAME*** The Walpack OUT!!  

Okay, I’m just kidding, BUT…

They are famous for feeding their customers AND feeding the Deer so their customers would have the opportunity to enjoy observing Wildlife while dining!!  Just think, now you will literally be eating with the deer!!  

NOTE: Speaking of Deer & Dining – This introduces the first portion of the topic of my Photo of the Week’s Title!!  DINING OUT!!  I would like to use a question as part of my introduction to the second portion of my Photo of the Week’s Title, DURING A TROPICAL STORM.  With all our eating out experiences, have you ever wondered, “What would we do if it rains?”  Well, I don’t have an answer for US HUMANS, However, I can show you how our Wildlife Friends handle eating out – Eating Out in the worst portion of Tropical Storm Fay!!

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTOS:

Friday, July 10, was a case of Right Place at the Right Time!! Went to Blairstown Animal Hospital and picked up my friend’s kitten, which I then dropped off at her house. Boy, was it raining hard the entire trip!!

It is about 5 p.m. and I am now approaching my house and I notice the two resident fawns bedded down on my neighbor’s yard. Cute picture, BUT, I didn’t feel like lowering the window, I would get soaked!! Pulled into my driveway and I’m thinking, I am going to get soaked getting into my house, might as well, go get my dinner now and then be done for the night!! Head back out and can’t resist, open my passenger window, take some photos of the fawns. Begin to leave and notice Mommy in the other yard coming this way, I’m thinking CAMERA MOMENT a cute reunion!!  This did turn out to be a Camera Moment, BUT, the vision that came to my mind, was far from the reality that transpired!!!  I am envisioning how these two fawns, laying down in the pouring rain, will be so happy to see their mother.  They will probably run over and greet her as a happy family reunion !!  

WHAT I WITNESSED: As soon as the fawns saw MOMMY – Folks, it’s off to the races, NO GREETINGS!!, they just shot right underneath her and begin to nurse!!  Head butting the mother’s underside, pounding and kicking the ground with their hooves, as to dig in for better traction, there is only one thought in their little minds – MILK!!  After a few moments, NO NOTICE GIVEN, Momma literally leaps over and away from the fawns!! Three deductions noted, First, My Photo Show is over!! Second, Mommy abruptly ended dinner just as quickly as the fawns had initiated same!!  Last but not least, The two fawns are left standing, literally, still in feeding positions, probably wondering, ‘HEY, Whaa juss Happened!!??” as mommy moves away.  

CRITIQUING THIS INCIDENT:  Maybe, this is Mother Nature’s answer to our earlier question about outdoor eating.  

QUESTION: What would we do if it rains??  

ANSWER:  Do whatever you need to, eat as quickly as possible, BEFORE IT IS GONE!!

A LESSON FOR ALL HUMANS & WILDLIFE:  Better treat Momma right OR _______!?

Enjoy Your Open Space – EVEN IN POURING RAIN!!!!!

Charlie Fineran

Charlie Fineran is Allamuchy’s Director of Open Space, Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission Chairman and Allamuchy Historical Society President.