Things in the path

We've had a few long trips this spring involving a little rain and a lot of sun, both metaphorically and for real. What's been going on closest to home? The world series of little stuff.

Last week Ed and Reub and I found a turkey egg in the path. I'm pretty sure a predator had chosen it for breakfast, but nobody worries about a shortage of turkeys around here. An egg can be spared for the wandering raccoon, the foraging coyote, the crow above, and maybe the bobcat in the brush.

Score: Predator 1, Turkey 0

Rabbits have destroyed most of the lettuce and all of the peas in the garden, but still. Still they are cute.

Score: Rabbits 10, Myself 0

 

This iridescent beetle was in the path when we took a hike in the Cascades. It could be a wood borer and I don't know if that's good or bad; it might be both.

Score: Wood borer 1, World 1

And this lizard was up there too, sunning itself on an observation deck, pretending to be a mere stick.

Score: Lizard 1, Predator hawk 0

Strange marks in the trail behind the house showed up after the most recent rain: the imprints of wings, etched in the mud when an owl swooped down to catch a rabbit or mouse. I don't know who won or lost in this drama but there was surely a victor of one sort or another.

Score: Unreported and likely still in play

One rainy afternoon on the way to the coast we came upon a herd of elk resting in the downpour. They could have found a more sheltered place, right? It has never occurred to me to go sit out in the rain like that, but sometime during Oregon's wet season maybe I'll give it a try. They may be onto something.

Score: Elk 1, Rain 0

Sea lions napping on the pier are a common sight in Newport, OR

This I get: seeking a dry spot when surrounded by water.

Score: Sea lions 1, Ocean 0

Dryness is relative; it's pouring rain on the sea lions, too. But I bet they feel dry, happy there on the hard rocks in the pouring rain.

Score: Sea lions take all.