Wildlife moment

I didn’t get any of this on camera as my camera was outside in my vehicle, but we had a wildlife moment out back this morning. It started with my son spotting an animal at the edge of the yard. He came to me to verify its identity. It was a bobcat. So, the two of us watched the bobcat for a minute or two as it sat quietly, interested in something we couldn’t see in the distance. Then, just like that, the cat disappeared to the woods along the river. Minutes later, our house cat trotted out back, obviously picking up on the scent of the bobcat. As our cat stalked the area where the bobcat had been, his attention was also drawn to the same area that had intrigued the bigger cat. We couldn’t see what the cat was checking out behind a small hill, thick brush, and some young trees. Then charged a doe, snorting and lowering her head. The deer took four or five aggressive steps towards our cat. Now the deer was right behind our deck and our cat had run full speed to our sliding door where I let him in. The deer turned for the woods after noticing me. But, our yard full of clover was too much to resist. The deer sauntered back down the grade to the grass. Meanwhile, our cat was whining incessantly to go back outside, so I let him onto the deck. The cat saw the deer and stayed put behind the deck railing. The deer saw the cat and did an about-face, turning toward the deck and lowering her head again. The deer kept her distance before deciding to gracefully high-tail it back in to the woods, snorting for all to hear along the way. And thus was the start to my day; fifteen minutes of entertainment, just by looking out the window.

Advertisement

In search of silence

I walk, in search of silence, somewhere near this place.

I pause and stare at beauty absent of human trace.

 

Stopped, I listen, hoping only to hear the snow fall.

Maybe the breeze as it gently teases the trees so tall.

 

Then the silence breaks, as a squirrel sounds his alert.

I smile, as I trod, in their space, wishing none to hurt.

 

The tracks below belong to the animals living here.

There’s proof of rabbit, fox, squirrel, bobcat, and deer.

 

I carve a place in the snow to sit neath an old hemlock tree.

I rest, I listen while watching this silent world around me.

 

The angles that branches make, years of running to light.

Nearby, the shredded layers of a sapling, an interesting sight.

 

In the hollow of an old oak, I see the cache still not concealed.

Distant, I strain to see through the thickness of limbs, a field.

 

Content with the cold falling around, I enjoy the seconds in full.

I breathe, and wish to see my dear, the moose, even a bull.

 

Minutes pile up but for once that is fine, for I’m at peace.

I pull drifting thoughts back to this tree, wishing it never cease.

 

Leaning on the bark, my eyes close, soon I’m half asleep.

Stirred by the inquisitive song of a black-capped chickadee.

 

Clearing a spot, I circle stones and prepare for a blaze.

Everything set, I get a flame, and into the fire I gaze.

 

At ease, warm, and alone, in silence, an old pine knot pops.

The wind seeks attention, as snow gently falls from the fir tops.

 

My bed of boughs shields the damp cold of the melting snow.

Cosy, I write, and think of all places, this is where I would go.

 

Light fades from the afternoon sky, and the cool gets cold.

I stoke the fire, and watch as a young deer, ponders bold.

Night falls and I wander a few paces to the hardwoods nearby.

I stop to stare up at the clear beauty of the starlit winter sky.

 

Camp fortified, warmth lingers long enough, shadows grow.

I wonder what is watching me as I huddle around the glow.

 

The night is long, just restful enough, ready for a new day.

Improvements to my fortress make me wish I could stay.