It’s another snowy Monday in the neighborhood. The weekend’s storm only left a few inches, but it’s sticky stuff. It clung to tree branches and blackened their trunks with its wetness.
How weary I am of winter and how I long for a change of scene. But no matter what the weather, Karina needs her morning walk. So when we set out this morning, I tried to focus on the lovely details.
I stopped to take some photos, and Paul and Karina went on ahead. While hurrying to catch up, I was stopped in my tracks by a gory remnant, left right in the middle of the trail. (Warning: the next two images may disturb sensitive readers.)
Paul told me that he had spotted a set of lone paw prints, unaccompanied by human boot tracks. A coyote must have captured the unlucky possum.
As we continued our walk, I thought about all the activity that happens in these seemingly peaceful woods when we are not here. There must be some wild goings-on behind the scenes, so to speak.
In these woods, as in life, there is so much mystery just beneath the surface.
And speaking of hidden worlds, I highly recommend this documentary that is showing on HBO entitled, “Birders: The Central Park Effect.” Here is the trailer.
Ah, you may be getting tired of winter but I am certainly not tired of how beautifully you are sharing it with us. Can you imagine what a wonderful walk we would have if I could somehow magically be there with the boys?
Gros bisous,
H
A walk anywhere with you and the boys would be magical indeed!
Ditto to Heather’s comments. You succeeded in focusing on the lovely details, and I hope that offered you as much it did to us (particularly those of us craving the beauty of snow). I have had the same experience walking Henry and Bob in our nearby primordial, seemingly-still forest. I have been tempted to camp there some moonlit night, just to penetrate a bit of the mystery of what happens. Then I remember the reality of predator and prey and realize that I do not want to witness that any more than I already have. A conundrum to conquer?
Leslie, I think I’d rather use my imagination for the interactions between predator and prey — I’ve seen enough of the real stuff on the National Geographic channel! But even in daylight we have witnessed some amazing things in our woods. A few weeks ago we saw two fisher cats leaping and cavorting through the woods. Thankfully Karina was still on her leash. I wouldn’t want her chasing them. Another time our old dog, Hobbes, treed one of those ferocious beasts and he/she sat in the tree hissing and baring sharp teeth.
What are fisher cats? (Cats fishing?) XOXO
Hi Leslie, they are related to weasels. Here’s the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)
The fisher cats are frightening. The snow photos are lovely. I’m too grumpy in the moment of snowfall to appreciate how pretty it all is. Thanks for making me stop and look.
The snow really was beautiful wasn’t it? thanks for reminding us to look and see it.
Nice post. Love your photography, and thanks for the trailer. I want to catch the show.