Deer crossing around the world

Each land does it differently--or each country's deer are different :)
(Although there can also be variation within a country)

It all started with our trip to Legoland back in October. I cracked up when I saw the Danish deer crossing sign, because I knew that they were something special. The deer was just looking FABulous! Look at that thrown-back head, those antlers and that visible joy in jumping!

And when we got back to Germany I started paying attention to the signs that I was passing. I saw two versions (neither quite as exuberant as the Danish). The first is fairly straightforward and businesslike 'I'm here to get a job done--i.e. jump over this road--and I'm going to do it. Simple as that.' (Does this fit with German stereotypes anyone? Erm...sorta, yeah :) of course, not always, but still. love it)

The second version is a bit more feminine--notice the curve of the nose (if you can make it out, despite low resolution..). Just a cute little 'dear' :)

Oh! And I almost forgot--the huge jumping rabbit deer! Okay..not really a huge rabbit..but, 'lemme 'splain. No, lemme sum up' :). This sign started popping up when fall began and deer were migrating more heavily---or wanting to jump over roads more often, who knows :). The first time I saw this--and every time I saw it from afar, it looked like a giant jumping rabbit--like a Wallace-and-Gromit-and-the-Curse-of-the-Were-Rabbit sort of rabbit..but then it was actually just a deer. Can you see it? From the small version? maybe if you squint? Or am I just crazy? (do I want an answer to that...no worries. I can answer it myself. I am :) )

Then, over Christmas break, we went to the South--not just any south, THE South (i.e. the southern States in the U.S. --sorry, it's rather amero-centric..or more specifically U.S.-centric, but for me, that's what the South means.) Anyway, it was my first time there (south of VA) and I was kinda scared of the twang--but it turned out not everyone spoke so extreme (I'm from Boston and I don't say Baastin, so I should've expected that..) and even when it was there, it was just cause for a smile.

And there is certainly something to be said for their friendliness--like at the cash-register. It was actually quite nice :)

Anyway, as we were driving down from VA to TN (I can't remember where exactly, but I definitely saw this kind at least 2x), I saw this sign. And I realized--southern deer are buff. In fact, they don't even jump, they just rear and pose.

Image courtesy of Flickr/svadilfari

I dearly hope this posting of deer crossing signs is just Part 1. Now that I've started paying attention, it just gets better and better. And if you get any snapshots, feel free to send them to me! That'd be great :) In fact, could you please? I'd love to get a collection going :)

And who knows, maybe there are several kinds even in the same state! Of the two on my commute, the more feminine one seemed to be older. Who knows, maybe deer have evolved like humans? Now they've just become more business-like?