several weeks ago, we were on a hike in the very back woods, going up to the highest point on the property. this means going up steep inclines like the one below, then leveling off on flatter ground, repeat. we were about 2/3 of the way there, when it became clear that we were not alone. we all stopped talking and heard a snarling, growling, yipping, tearing sound from just beyond the next ridge. it sounded like what i would imagine a pack of zombies feasting would sound like. the worst part of it was a thumping noise. slow, somewhat rhythmic, and loud enough that we could feel it through the ground. it vibrated under our feet.
we stood stock still, frantically whispering as quietly as we could about what to do. my input was "it's time to get THE FUCK out of here". i did not want whatever was eating whatever else to see us and think we were competing for their hard-earned catch and view us as a threat. it was decided, and we made haste. slowly and quietly at first, and then faster. running was impossible because of the fact that we were in fairly dense bush.
about a week later, we went to see if there were any remains to be found. we looked and looked, but there was nothing to see. or so we thought. descending down the hill on the steeper side instead of turning around as usual revealed a den. probably a coyote den.
to us, this confirmed what we thought. it was either multiple coyotes making a kill together (the thumping could have been deer feet hitting the ground as it bucked) or a coyote trying to fight off another predator - pumas are becoming more and more common but i like the idea of them much less than coyotes. not in concept of course (giant cats in the wild - amazing), but more because they are more likely to attack humans.
this is what the landscape looks like back there. very difficult to travel through. you're constantly bushwhacking and using walking sticks to break smaller branches off fallen trees so you can get past them.
anyway i feel lucky to have seen that part of the property, i'd never been down that side of the hill and seen that beautiful cliff from below, nor have i seen a den that big. i'm also grateful to have heard the kill, it reminded me that while the woods may seem full of only light, magic and beauty - like everything - there is a darker side that balances that light. the harsh reality of things not turning out as you expected - simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to your life being torn out of your body with no warning. a reminder of the things that lurk, opportunists and hunters. it's good to be reminded, it's easy to forget.
we stood stock still, frantically whispering as quietly as we could about what to do. my input was "it's time to get THE FUCK out of here". i did not want whatever was eating whatever else to see us and think we were competing for their hard-earned catch and view us as a threat. it was decided, and we made haste. slowly and quietly at first, and then faster. running was impossible because of the fact that we were in fairly dense bush.
about a week later, we went to see if there were any remains to be found. we looked and looked, but there was nothing to see. or so we thought. descending down the hill on the steeper side instead of turning around as usual revealed a den. probably a coyote den.
to us, this confirmed what we thought. it was either multiple coyotes making a kill together (the thumping could have been deer feet hitting the ground as it bucked) or a coyote trying to fight off another predator - pumas are becoming more and more common but i like the idea of them much less than coyotes. not in concept of course (giant cats in the wild - amazing), but more because they are more likely to attack humans.
this is what the landscape looks like back there. very difficult to travel through. you're constantly bushwhacking and using walking sticks to break smaller branches off fallen trees so you can get past them.
anyway i feel lucky to have seen that part of the property, i'd never been down that side of the hill and seen that beautiful cliff from below, nor have i seen a den that big. i'm also grateful to have heard the kill, it reminded me that while the woods may seem full of only light, magic and beauty - like everything - there is a darker side that balances that light. the harsh reality of things not turning out as you expected - simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to your life being torn out of your body with no warning. a reminder of the things that lurk, opportunists and hunters. it's good to be reminded, it's easy to forget.
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