Are the Deer Running Toward Something--Or From Something?

This weekend was unusual for deer activity, or at least it seemed that way using my own humble observations. There are lots of deer in the Grove, but I actually haven't seen any in months, which had begun to concern me.

Then last Saturday, my partner spotted 2 deer in the back yard. It was unusual because they rarely come this far out of the woods and also because it was 10 am, late for deer excursions. But it didn't take long for them to bound off toward the woods again.

Were they after garden goodies (not that there's much to munch on right now) or are their food sources getting scarce? We are in drought conditions. Or is new construction in the area driving the deer more in my direction?

Then Sunday morning I went for a walk. I was almost back home when I spotted 3 right next to my house, and again it was late morning. So as not to scare them off toward the road, I took the long way around. Never saw them again.

My partner saw another deer in the back yard, this time late Sunday evening. The motion sensor light came on, and the 3 of us just stood there and stared at each other for a while before we humans got bored and decided to leave the deer in peace.

It's odd for all this to happen all together, and it has me curious.