As a kid I had a vision that I would have a place with a creek running through the backyard. Now with Clover Creek running across my front yard, the vision is realized.
Deer have been spotted and I have seen a coyote recently. They are among the otters, beavers, raccoons, squirrels, maybe a rabbit, of course.
But not a day goes by but that we can also plan to see herons, crows, jays, sparrows, gulls, or a platoon of robins that comes just before every storm. Owls have been heard here, but not yet seen. The state bird, the goldfinch, makes an occasional startling appearance. Then there’s the Anna’s hummingbirds and Rufous hummingbirds that you are issued once you hit this latter stage of life. As I write this, an immature bald eagle perched at the top of one of our many hastily trimmed cottonwoods, inspecting the area, perhaps to feed? To nest?
There are mallards, wood ducks, mandarin ducks lately. But the baffling point of this fowl profusion is…
What the heck is a wigeon? A northern flicker? And until I occupied this plot of land, I had never heard of a ‘junco’ until I looked up this bird myself. Yet all have made their foray, many times, often, to this strip of greenery that runs from McChord to Steilacoom.
Why have I never heard of these fauna before? Why are these not in the parlance of the Northwestern banter? Yeah, yeah. The people always talk about the weather, ‘partly cloudy, chance of showers’. It ain’t goin’ anywhere. But if a creature has adapted to live alongside you, take it as a personal favor that you are steps away from a world that preceded you and will endure… if you allow it. If you, at least, do not impede it.
Make an appointment to take a moment. A moment for yourself. A moment for the instant in time you are alive. Check in with your fellow creatures. And share that moment.
Yes, our wild neighbors are a gift to us. Let us continue to provide habitat for them so they can flourish and we can appreciate them!
Chas. Ames,
Boy oh boy do I have good news for you. Are you ready for the good news? Here comes the good news. I agree with you. Yes, agree.
Yikes. Joe Boyle and Chas. Ames agree on something. That is something to celebrate. Let’s both tip a glass of BSB. Salute!
My family and I were blessed to have lived on Clover Creek for 43 years in Lakewood. We enjoyed raccoons, deer, fox, muskrats, wood-ducks, birds in general including birds you probably would not see if you did not live on the water, and Blue Heron to name a few. Oh, I forgot the fish were there too.
We paddled canoes and kayaks on Clover Creek, once tipping over and falling into the creek at 4 degrees above zero.
Joseph Boyle – A guy who can walk on water. (Well, not on the top. I always sank to the bottom of Clover Creek.)
This we can all agree on.
I grew up on a farm, surrounded by livestock and wildlife.
I understand animal behavior very well, but am still perplexed by urban human mentality.
Any accomplished naturalist will tell you that an interface with wild nature will help you make sense of how our world was designed to function.
In an age where bubble-cities are seriously planned for our future, I thank God that I can still simply walk away from that, and into the wild.
We live in perhaps the best time in history, where we have modern technology for comfort and survival, and wild space for appreciation and perspective.
I find myself, more often than not, in my urban/suburban environment, planning and anticipating my next immersion into wild nature.
Thank you Charles for sharing. We need more stories like this, uplifting and seeing the real beauty of our world.
If only raccoons were not so successful at stealing baby birds from their nests. Every spring the lawn seems to sprout fine bird feathers.
Got you beat, Joe. I recently moved from my home on C, Creek after 57 wonderful years.
My sons set up a tent at creekside in the summer. they caught fish which I cooked for dinner (made their father clen them however. My daughter was the birdwatcher always knowing who was in the neighborhood by their song. We followed the hawks and made friends with a murder of crows. And oh the crickets that lulled us to sleep on a summer night sad to know they are no longer there. I cannot even begin to count the wildlife that traversed our 2 acres.
I hope Charles keeps his eyes and ears open for all that is to be seen and heard and that he remains a steward of our magnificent landscape.
cheers,
jmc
Joan Cooley,
We do not know each other, but we obviously have a lot in common as related to Clover Creek.
You beat me, fair and square, by 14 years.
Joseph Boyle
Love you guys.
This is what matters.