Photo quote de jour

A double duty blog today. 1) photo quote de jour metaphor life lesson 2) Westchester Wednesdays news.

The other day, I spotted these two deer in between a question mark of snow on a tree stump. It begged an answer but what was the question? Their camouflage gave a small measure of safety but their eyes and ears stayed focused on me. As a life coach, I'm interested in what motivates people, and why some enjoy more success than others. Deer embody gentle sensitivity. They know when to hide, when to be still, and when be in the open. They have an acute awareness that successful people share. There is a time to speak up, to take center stage, and a time to take a back seat. Successful people comfortably know how to dance in and out of the shadows. It begins with awareness. For a deer, its awareness is nothing less than survival.

We have a lot of deer where I live in Westchester County, N.Y. Some might say too many. They chomp on our plants and flowers, spread Lyme disease and get hit by cars. Hunting with firearms is forbidden in the county, but there is talk of culling with crossbows.

If you live in the area, you might want learn more about the new measures taken by public and private land managers to deal with the ever growing population of white-tailed deer, during the next Conservation Café event, titled “What’s New? Managing Deer in Westchester County,” on Friday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y.

Following the program, attendees are invited to participate in an open discussion, dialogue regarding and exchange of ideas on deer management. Staff from Westchester County Parks will be on hand to discuss the parks department’s 2009 pilot deer bow hunting program as well.

Advance registration is requested by calling (914) 864-7047 (914) 864-7047 by March 10. Beverages will be served; participants should bring their own coffee mug. Carpooling is encouraged.

The Conservation Café and Conversations on Conservation (CoC) provide a forum for dialogue about current environmental issues. Private citizens, members of concerned organizations, municipal planners and others hear the latest information and have an opportunity to network.

Sponsors are Westchester County’s Parks and Planning departments, Friends of Westchester County Parks, Pace University, Teatown Lake Reservation, the Greenburgh Nature Center, Westchester Land Trust and Federated Conservationists of Westchester County.

The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue in White Plains, adjacent to Route 119 (Tarrytown Road) and the Bronx River Parkway. Parking in the County Center lot is $5 per car before 9 a.m. Information about the County Center can be found at www.countycenter.biz.