One of the good things about the open forest of November is all that I get to see the vegetation isn’t a solid wall of green. This morning it was two squirrels chasing each other around a tree and a pair of deer sneaking deeper into the woods as Dog and I passed.
In summer I hear what’s going on but am often left to imagine who is making the sound. I have gotten pretty good at guessing what noises go with what animal, but it’s still more fun to actually see them.Of course, all those dry, downed leaves, as yet undampened by any rain since they fell, helps too. Not even the sneakiest raccoon or the most careful turkey can avoid the scraping and crunching noises the merest touch creates on those leaves. Any noise sets the dogs to barking, which prompts me to head towards a window to see what all the excitement is about. I’ve seen all kinds of things that I never would have seen if I hadn’t been alerted by the dogs or sometimes the cats. Fox tiptoeing through the back forest just past the deck, a person wandering over on a ski slope, the chickens out where they shouldn’t be—it doesn’t matter what, very little gets past the cabin without someone knowing about it.
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8 comments:
The good thing about the leaves being down is the suddenly opened long-distance view; the bad thing about the leaves being down is the suddenly opened long-distance view.
Here on the river, I like being able to see "into" the woods on the island directly across from the cottage. In fact, I can see across the island, across the far channel, and into the woods on the opposite bank. Neat. Unfortunately, I can also see the top of a big medical center three-quarters of a mile away and lights from the road beyond—which kills my illusion of living in the isolated wilds. It also makes things a bit noisier as I can now hear the occasional truck on the distant Interstate.
I love the cozy quiet I have here from spring through fall, and resent reality from stomping on my wilderness fantasy. But I also like watching the fox squirrels and pileateds on the island, not to mention the occasional whitetail or mink.
Such a dilemma!
Lovely photo!
Yes crunchy leaves can fun,especially if you a dog. What would be nice, if a black bear came walking through. more at my end, just in the mood to see one.
This is beautiful!! Wish I were there:)
Griz: Grr... Comments and responses seem to have disappeared again! I vote for the open woods every time, I think--especially after months of being closed in. I do miss having the windows open, though.
Carolyn H.
Cathy: it's been my experience that bears are better at sneaking around than anything else. It must be those nice, large feet of theirs. And I think they hate to make noise in the woods, too. I've seen them walking on moss, on rocks, anything to avoid stepping on crunchy leaves.
Carolyn H.
Jeanette: the cabin door is always open...
Carolyn H.
WW: Thanks!
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