Mother Nature has been active this week. The leaves have turned a deep bronze tone. Many have fallen. The resulting barren branches allow a clear view through the woods. The dogs have been excitedly scoping things out, their noses high in the air catching many scents, no doubt. The woods seem alive with activity. The signs are everywhere…
photo: wikipedia
As James and I enjoyed our early morning autumn walk, we spotted a mound ahead of us along the side of the road. To me, it looked like a large, smooth rock about eighteen inches in diameter. Smooth and dark grayish-brown. This certainly is out of place, I said aloud to James. I wonder how it got there? I noticed that James was staring intently, as we moved within twenty feet of the mound. As we continued approaching, the smooth, round rock-shape started growing. It’s smooth surface became spiky. James grew more interested, moving slowly and deliberately, as Setters do. Oh, yes, the now-spikey form started to move when we were within ten feet. Definitely a porcupine – and James started to lunge in it’s direction, as the creature suddenly turned and scrambled down the hill. I had to quickly convince James that confronting the porcupine was not in his favor. I consoled him by saying, Let’s go see the barn cats, boy!
photo: wikipedia
Fortunately I was in my car with Lily when siting our next woodland creature. It was 3:00 in the afternoon. Lily and I had just finished our Reading Buddy session at Westhampton Elementary School and were driving home. Just two driveways down from our house, we both spotted a large black bear in our neighbors’ pasture where normally two beautiful horses are grazing. Yow, he was a big fellow! Lily was shivering in silent excitement. Her eyes were riveted on the bear. Shielded by the safety of our car, we sat together watching the large bear amble slowly across the pasture, then the driveway, and into the woods. It clearly was aware of our presence. He wanted to get to our side of the road and was making a wide berth around our parked car. Well beyond us in the woods, he then reappeared and crossed the road, heading down the hill.
The biggest surprise of all was discovering the magnificent white bearded iris blooming in my garden. Three more buds to bloom. Autumn has many surprises in store. The porcupine and bear, although surprising to run into, are certainly not out of place at this time of year. But, the iris – that took my breath away. Ah – a sign of spring!