Our screened back porch looks into an aspen forest and serves as an unintended, but much appreciated "blind." We can see out but the wildlife can't see in.
Today I was standing on the porch when a mule deer doe and her twin spotted fawns walked out of the forest, across our back cleared area, and back into the aspen trees on the other side. I write "walked" as the doe's pace was dignified and leisurely.
The twin fawns - each slightly smaller than an adult greyhound - trotted or scampered in a playful, carefree way. They looked very healthy and were seriously cute. See photos at the other DrC's blog.
Our "landscaping" is natural aspen forest understory. There's plenty of natural food for deer to eat and when they do it does no damage.
----------
When we were building this place 23 years ago locals took a dim view of screening the porch, we insisted and have been glad ever since. Forests have bugs and, liking to dine on our porch, we chose not to be bitten. It also gives us a place from which to spy on animals, a definite plus.
Those same locals also warned us our idea of installing a porch ceiling fan was folly, as the weather would destroy it. A couple of decades later it still works perfectly.
