5.17.2008

What goes on in a Meadow!


A few days ago, wandering in the woods I came upon a fresh morel mushroom! Imagine my excitement. It was in the same place as the two I found last year. I visit it once or twice a day, taking pictures, noting it's daily change, which is quite noticeable. It has been a wonderful experience sitting and observing in one spot. This is so different from walking through the woods where all the critters hear me!

Tonight I wandered out, thinking I would see how the morel has changed since last night and maybe take a few pictures, when I noticed something big and dark in the far end of the meadow. I must share that I walk around here, near daily. So when a new shape and color shows up, well I notice it. That is how I discovered the Northern Goshawk eating a duck ( I posted a picture of April 11, 2008 called A Hawks Feast). Well it was down near the same area that I spotted this black spot, big as a huge tree trunk. I pulled out my telephoto lens and sure enough a BIG black bear. It was far so my pictures are not so clear, but hey this is a good thing. It means the bear was far away from me! Sort of. It appeared to be eating, walking and rolling it's nose into the earth. I sat there amazed and thankful to be experiencing this. I often walk the woods and I have come across tracks, big tracks. But to see the bear, wow, this is a first.

Later in the evening, sitting on the porch enjoying the sunset, I heard some gun shots. They sounded like they were in the same meadow. I was drawn to run out there to see what was going on. To my great relief, no hunters, no bear. But down in the far meadow I witnessed a ancient dance, something I have never seen. There were five or more whitetail deer frolicking about, running through water, splashing and jumping, leaping and running off only to return for more and more. I am thrilled to find out what goes on in that meadow!


Is he doing what I think he is?


6 comments:

  1. what a beautiful post! I also love sitting down in nature noticing the small things and watching their progress. How wonderful to see the bear and the dancing deer too!

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  2. What an am amazing encounter! I'm not sure I would have had the presence of mind to start taking pictures, but I'm glad you did. Do you wear bells while taking your walks?

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  3. I don't wear bells on my walks, but I often carry pepper spray. I didn't think to that afternoon, I just thought i was visiting the little mushroom. Local folks say that bear bells are really dinner bells, "here bear, here here". When I am alone in the woods, sometimes I recite a poem out loud, same effect as bells.

    Thanks for visiting and asking.

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  4. Tammie Lee: That is a wonderful capture of a gorgeous animal.

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  5. Tammie,
    I think you answered that age old question regarding what bears do in the woods! :)

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  6. Wow! that is absolutely amazing. What an incredible place.

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Warm greetings to you~

Thank you for visiting and also for sharing your thoughts and feelings. Seeing anew through your eyes and heart mean so much to me!

Tammie