Moving to my place on the river, I was introduced to lots of new-to-me critters. There have been times I would take Maggie Rose out to potty at two in the morning, and have several sets of eyes peering back at me. I have to tell you, the first time this happened, I almost panicked. She can cross her legs from now on, in the middle of the night. Not really...They were only mule deer, bedding down.
At one point, we met an enormous cat on the back of the property. It seemed we were becoming friends. Maggie and I didn't yet have a cat, and I'd received free feline treats one day at the grocery store. Maggie likes a good cat treat, but we could also share a few goodies with our new friend. He never came too close to us, so we would drop them off along the fence line, come up stairs, and watch him slowly make his way to the treats. He loved the rocks along the river, and he really seemed to enjoy our treats.
Have I told you I don't wear my distance glasses, except when driving? I don't. I don't need them for computer use or reading, and my eyes aren't that bad distance wise. One day, for some reason, I had my glasses on when I went to the backyard. Our cat friend was on the rocks. I was able to get within twenty-five yards or so when he turned his head to look at me. Holy cow, that was the ugliest cat I'd ever seen. Ugly teeth, bad smile, the whole nine yards. It was like watching a horror flick. The guys downstairs asked me if I saw the marmot. The what? Yeah, in the back yard. (Dear lady, you have so much to learn.) I've officially been inducted into the 'You're a Moron' club.
I stopped leaving treats for the wildlife. This is a big no-no.
He could often be found sunbathing on the rocks. He, or she, had the perfect view of all things beautiful in our neighborhood.
Maggie Rose and I would take daily trips to the backyard—appreciating the river, mountains, and our new friend, the marmot. Eventually he went missing, and is no longer a part of our little world.
Now, across the river, jumping from cliff to cliff, is a brown marmot. I hear there is a family of them. The elk will be leaving the mountain for other locations until about November.
At one point I thought I might want to collect lymph nodes from elk, for the Wildlife Department, as the pay is good. Heck, I can wield a scalpel. I mention this to the owner of my place. He tells me, while laughing, something to the effect of, "yeah, since you know so much about wildlife." He reminded me of my vast knowledge this past week, and the marmot. Made me smile.
Still learning.
Soon families will be taking river trips, kids, teenagers and young adults rafting the river. Laughter is plentiful in the summer, along my stretch of gorgeous.
While I’m not ready for the warmer temperatures (seems they do not believe in air-conditioning in this part of the world, and y’all know I’m a delicate flower), and no snow, the ecosystem is coming alive. As with all things mountain, watching the critters coming out of hibernation, seeing ducks floating down the river, listening to the birds sing lovely tunes, and watching for majestic eagles (plentiful), my surroundings take my breath away, often.
Moral of the story: wear your glasses.
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