WildLife – Page 23 – Joseph Carrabis, Author Blog

A Lovely Couple

Sometimes we are blessed to witness love on the bloom.

Not all couples stay faithful throughout their lives in The Wild. Some, like the Raccoon, don’t stay faithful for more than the time it takes to get the deed done.

Talk about “Slam, Bam, Thankyou, Ma’am.”

I wonder if they leave a peanut or cookie on the bureau when they leave.

Canids tend to mate for life.

We worried greatly when Jackson, a young male coyote, showed up with a limp. Not sure what happened. We looked for signs of a broken bone or a twisted joint or scarring.

Couldn’t find a thing.

He eventually grew out of it. Shortly after he was out trotting normally, we never saw him again.

Moved on to better habitat, we’re hoping.

Coyotes are never out of season where we live.

Same is true of ignorance and simple stupidity, it seems.

Family Dining

Ever get together with a friend’s family for a meal out?

Happens in The Wild a lot. Often you’ll get distantly related families – Opossum, Raccoon, Fox, Skunk, and the like – dining together, sometimes at the same table…or pile…sometimes not.

They don’t seem to mind.

Sometimes when I’m out there, they will gather around me. Raccoon kits nibble at my toes, other kits and pups wait patiently with their elders for me to leave food for them.

I once cracked some peanuts in my hand and two raccoons stood at my feet reaching up.

Do you have any idea how wonderful it feels to know The Old Ones consider you safe?

Not to mention being an easy touch.

The Hawk

Behold a young hawk, as yet unnamed (still learning Hawkish. I can do it, it just sounds like a human making fun of a hawk and, as I don’t wish to insult, I practice until I’m more eloquent).

This hawk is more or less resting. Taking in the view. Perhaps checking things out for a return.

Funny thing about The Wild, prey know when a nearby predator is on the hunt versus just stopping by for a look-see.

For one, the prey scatter. Those who do stick around are quick to take cover.

Otherwise, nothing. It reminds me of a Warner Brothers’ cartoon about coyotes and sheepdogs. The cartoon starts with the two of them talking cordially, each walking on their hind legs towards a tree. There’s a timeclock on the tree. On top of the timeclock is steam whistle.

Both coyote and sheepdog punch in. They continue to chat about what’s going on back at their den and doghouse, respectively.

The whistle on top of the timeclock goes off. The coyote runs to grab a sheep. The sheepdog intercepts him, stops him, and trounces him.

The coyote gets up, devises a plan to get a sheep.

The sheepdog thwarts his plan.

This continue until the afternoon when the whistle blows again. They both walk up to the timeclock, punch out, and wish each other a pleasant, quiet, and restful evening, ending with “See you tomorrow” and “Yep, see you tomorrow.”

Watch the next time you’re in The Wild.

Meanwhile, I gotta get me one of the timeclocks.

Little Climbing Raccoon

Youngsters at play.

Or escape.

You never know, scary Two-Legger that I am.

Getting high in a tree is a natural defense for raccoons, one of many.

The Wild, The Old Ones only fight when there are no other options available.

Even then, it’s rarely open aggression. More often it’s defense. Yes, there’s predation and only those preparing to pass over are hunted. Unlike humans, ego plays no part in survival. No wolf or fox or coyote or bear or mountain cat takes down the healthiest, most robust buck and shows off their kill to others of their kind. Nothing in The Wild brags about killing because they only kill when there’s a need (“only” meaning “under normal circumstances”).

Boastful behavior doesn’t exist in aboriginal societies, either. At least not that I’ve seen. Often, when some group prepares to hunt, they make supplications to the Old One they wish to take down. They ask The First of whatever they hunt to give them one ready to go home so as not to offend.

Also to keep the greater numbers of the hunted kind safe. Aborigines know there will be other hunts on other days. Taking out the most fit means numbers diminish and until the numbers are zero.

Should you ever wish to learn the Mathematics of Life, spend time with aborigines. They know it well.