We spent a couple of weekends in Portland recently. I love these trips to the city, where we absorb music and time with kids, interesting food, bookstores, and urban architecture.
The view from the hotel window, so different from what I see at home.
Bio-swales in southeast Portland clean the polluted rain run-off. I like these small natural areas beside the busy streets; they seem like a good idea.
Meanwhile back home in Corvallis, spring is in full swing.
In back of the house, maybe a hundred yards, I found this paw print. The squareness of it and its lack of toenails makes me think it's a cat of some kind, probably the elusive bobcat who surprises me from time to time when I'm out there. I think it's too small for a cougar. I suppose it might be a dog print, or a coyote, but probably not.
This is what Reub's paw print looks like, not so square, and obvious toenails. Clearly canine, and different from a cat.
Then, this happened too. I was out back with Ed and Reub when we came upon a small bunny in the path. He didn't move and I knew he was either sick, or a loose domestic rabbit who didn't know to bolt from the curious dogs.
I took the dogs into the house and went back with a towel, thinking that if it were a domestic rabbit I shouldn't let him out in the drizzle like that, prey to the hawks and owls. I should gather him up and cage him. I covered him with the towel and he poked his nose out. We sat there for a long time and I realized he was dying. Swaddled with the towel I moved him under the dry cover of a protective young fir. Then I took the towel and went away. Thirty minutes later he was dead, toothmarks in his side. And 30 minutes after that he had disappeared completely. I suspect the bobcat.
Even if Mount Hood is a wilderness area looming like a drama queen nearby, Portland is a place protected from the constant give-and-takes of nature. In an urban setting it's easy to lose touch with the fact that we ourselves are part of a greater world. So although I really love forays into the city, I do like returning to a less urban setting, one where I am confronted with wary predators and small rabbits.
Portland is beautiful, and I love the peak of Mount Hood lingering above the city.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mt Hood is a spectacular backdrop for the city. Flying in & out of PDX is always a treat; no matter what side of the plane you're sitting on there are always volcanoes to look at.
DeleteMy Ron was a licensed trapper for the state of California and I miss having him identify the many strange paw prints we would see on walks around the property. I kept hoping he would come across something very intriguing but most were just coyotes, etc.
ReplyDeleteRon was amazing. I too always hope for a fancy track. Once when we were in Brazil I found jaguar tracks, but here in the US I can't seem to come upon cougar prints even though there are a lot of the big cats in the area.
DeleteBobcats are neat to see. I wonder if someone's rabbit did get loose.
ReplyDeleteA bobcat leaped across the trail this past weekend when John and I were on a hike. I love seeing them. And they certainly keep the rabbit population in check.
DeleteIn your own way, you were a hospice nurse/social worker/chaplain, as you helped give that dying animal some comfort at the end of life. I hope for the same when my time comes, and then feed me to the earth. Near one of those glorious mountains would be nice!
ReplyDeleteI guess that's right Merry. Poor little guy, I worried that I was terrifying him but perhaps he was too far gone for that.
DeleteYour vision of the perfect end is lovely.
Maybe this bobcat broke into a rabbit hutch and ran off with this rabbit while being chased by dogs, then had to drop the rabbit in order to climb a tree. When the dogs left, the bobcat came back for his prey. This would imply the bobcat was keeping an eye on you Kerry. He would have to make sure your dogs were in the house before he collected the rabbit. This might also mean the bobcat knew enough to leave the rabbit in another dog's territory because the dogs that were chasing the cat wouldn't go into the other dog's territory. Animals know.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a vivid imagination you have, Linda! It may have happened that way.One certain thing is that the bobcat has seen me a thousand times more than I have spotted him.
DeleteBalance between the city and the country is what keeps me healthy. That photo of the red chairs is perfection!!
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a balance, isn't it? I crave the city sometimes, for its museums and culture, but soon enough I'm ready to be back here.
DeleteNice shot of PDX and Hood! I work in downtown Portland, so I'm very familiar with the city streets. I've actually worked on projects that build those bioswales you admired.
ReplyDeleteSorry tale about the rabbit. Glad you were able to provide it comfort in it's final minutes.
The bioswales were fantastic; there are so many of them in southeast Portland that I'm sure they are purifying a LOT of water. Plus they are beautiful.
DeleteThe last shot of Mt Hood was taken from the Pittock mansion in NW PDX. What a view.
Portland is having our weather and we are having Portland's. I want my weather back!
ReplyDeleteI knowwwwwww! It's wrong. Been so dry here that there are already fire warnings out. :(
Deleteawww. sorry the bunny had to suffer for a while. i always wish for a hasty kill so a predator can eat.
ReplyDeleteYes. And finally that seems to be what happened.
DeleteYour photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I miss living in the country but Portland is not so bad as far as cities go. I really never have the sense of being small and lost here like I have in other cities.
Portland is a very livable town. And Forest Park? What a huge urban natural resource. It's gigantic.
DeletePortland is beautiful!! I like big cities, but it never compares to the comfort of home!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that goes for almost any trip to anywhere.! :-)
DeleteAnd Portland is a lovely city.
Enchanting and enthralling !
ReplyDelete:-) Thanks RR!
DeleteWonderful tour of the city, I love the view of Mt Hood.. And the bunny is adorable.. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen.
DeleteThat last shot of Mt. Hood with the city architecture in the forefront is amazing. Poor bunny. I'm glad he got some TLC before he passed. A friend of mine went to Africa recently and watched lots of kills, but she did come away with knowing that everything nourishes. Nothing there was wasted.
ReplyDeleteI was sad for the bunny, who was young and beautiful, but I would not want the bobcat to vanish from the landscape. So, you are right. Everything nourishes.
DeleteLove your photos and that first one, top to bottom, is exhibition material. It's so intense. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thank you Cuban. Imagine London, with a huge volcano looming over it. Wouldn't that be something?
DeleteYes, to appreciate the country we have to go to the town sometimes.
ReplyDeleteNature is nowhere nearer at hand than in the small spaces we know so well. And nature has a very tidy way of disposing of waste products.
All that you say is true. It has been pointed out to me that even in the city-in small spaces, as you say-there is the opportunity to be with nature. A lazy person, I find it easier and more obvious outside of the city. Still, I love going to the city for all of its temptations.
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