It is a trait of mine to love the wild remote places and the wildlife there. A world without ancient forests, eagles, owls and large predators like cougar, bear and wolf is a world I could hardly bear to inhabit.
The wild, with all its freedom and surprises enthralls me. It is such a lovely thing to sit quietly in nature, in wild places, and observe what comes. The wild is cautious and when one is quiet and peaceful, a trust builds among the energies of what is there and the life of other beings starts to appear.
It is much better than television or other forms of entertainment and it has always drawn me to it, curiosity compels me to explore and examine it. I am always walking the beaches, checking for tracks, reading the life around me before or after the tides. I know when animals, birds or people pass through. I know when a predator like a cougar or wolf is around, not always by seeing their tracks but also by the actions and sounds of the other life around me. The crows, ravens, robins, etc. always warn me of the approach or presence of a threat. I usually know where it is by the bird’s call. The raccoons will spend a lot of time up in the trees or on my roof if there's a wolf around. One sees the deer, raccoon and otter tracks more frequently if there are no wolves in the area. Sometimes it sounds like a hockey game on my roof when the raccoons, who love to play and roughhouse, are safe there from the wolf.
Do you see the heart in the waterfall?
I have seen cougar here several times and have been warned by the crows when one is nearby. It is thrilling to see a cougar or grizzly bear. There are no grizzlies here (I have only seen them in Alaska or the Yukon) and I have never seen a black bear on the island although they appear on islands nearby, but not much these days, they seem scarce compared to years ago.
The deer have become more cautious since the wolf lived out here for two years(see archives...The Wolf and I), but I see one wandering by occasionally down in the cove eating seaweed. There aren't many, they get shot by hunters so often. We have raised three from babies. Because we don't have dogs and cats, people would bring us baby deer to raise if their mothers were killed. These deer have taught us so much and our children had such wonderful times playing with them. They are masters at invisibility, speed and agility, especially in the bush.
We have also saved and raised many ocean birds, gulls, crows, otter, seals as well as baby hummingbirds and mice.
I have a lot of fun with the baby raccoons, they are like kittens and like young creatures everywhere, curious and full of playful games. I put a kiddie pool on the deck for them and they love it. Sometimes they fall out of trees or get separated from their mamas and I have to rescue them but the moms usually come and find them and cart them off like kittens. We had one raccoon that stayed our friend for 20 years, she was the matriarch, same with the deer and seagulls. They were our friends, not our pets and we learned so much from them all. They were capable of such deep live it was astounding. Even now their offspring know and trust us and come by whenever they wish. I don't have to take care of any of them but do help them when they need it.
Several times a raccoon has come clomping across the porch with a clam latched onto its' toes. There have been some raccoons who lose their toes this way...so we get a towel and throw it over their eyes and hold on tight and pry the clam off.
So it goes, we have lots of stories and the wildlife always know when I'm back after going away, even for a long time (they have amazing memories and never forget) and they are there to greet me.
A brilliant and authentic life you and your family have. I truley am humbled in your presence.
I'd love to surf one of your waves of curiosity sometime soon. 💚