They were dirt
I did, however, have not one but 2 deer run out in front of me today on Palomar East Grade Rd. I saw the one standing on the shoulder and I put my arm in the air to let Morgan know to slow down. He dashed across in front of me and hurdled up the embankment on the left. Then just as I put my foot on the gas, another came up onto the shoulder and ran in front of me.
Later, on Mesa Grande, I saw something walking on the oncoming shoulder. Closer I got revealed it was a cow, then I came around a turn and there were 2 more laying on the shoulder in the grass under a tree.
