While I was out shooting some video of the 2016 Cedar River flood in Waterloo, IA, I saw one of the coolest things I've ever seen. A herd of deer swimming to safety.

As northeast Iowa continues to watch the Cedar River and Shell Rock River rise to what could be historic numbers, every once in a while we find something that makes us smile, despite the humanity of it all.

While I was out shooting videos and pictures to document the rising Cedar River, something odd caught my eye. At first, I thought it was some bizarre driftwood, but it turned out to be a herd of deer that had been swept up in the raging flood waters of the Cedar River.

I knew that there was nothing I could do to help. If I got too close to the struggling animals, I knew that their 'fear factor rage' would kick in, and the situation would only get worse. So... I curiously watched hoping for the best. All the while I tried to stay far enough away, so I would not spook them back into the raging flood waters, but I kept the camera rolling.

Luckily the herd found dry land. Although in the end they found themselves separated, all six deer I discovered floating aimlessly in the Cedar River did found higher ground. I was able to capture two of the six deer's escape to dry land.

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