The does are out.

Well, not actually 'out' out. They're still caged in a building. But they're no longer herded. Each is standing free and almost aloof.

Thirty of them on public display. Of all different colors, textures and imaginations. They've been out for a week, but this was my first chance to stop by. Midday Sunday is apparently a slow time, and for a half-hour or so, I had them all to myself.

Myself and their protective attendant. Who happened to be the wife, taking her first shift.

Thirty pronghorn. Over 450 pictures. In two hours' time.

You do the math.

Some had a theme, like the doe covered in coins.

Some artists simply used the statue as a canvas for their work.

But as with the bucks last year, there were no disappointments. None where you looked and thought "They should have tried harder."

And, as with the bucks, visitors got to vote for their favorites.

The wife's was "Night Way".

She was in my top five, but I guess I just don't get Australian aboriginal art.

My favorite which was near the top on the wife's list (but she rejected because the artist got the pronghorn's eyes wrong), was "Big Medicine".

I loved the detailed work...

and the use of the whole rolling surface.

But I'm pretty sure neither one of these will win "most popular". In fact, since everyone gets one vote, I'm betting on one particular doe to win. The adults, you see, will spread their votes around amongst 29 different pronghorn, depending on what they like, what they appreciate.

But the kid vote?

That's all going to go to this one.