Reub's journey

16 June 2015

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.

24 comments:

  1. enjoyed this scoreboard from your world! :)

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  2. Fun post...nicely done.

    I never would have figured out the owl wing marks.

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    1. I stood there for quite awhile before I figured it out. It was below a tree where I've seen an owl twice.

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  3. Sigh....it's more like sea lions 2,000, salmon zero.

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    1. They're such pigs about the salmon. I think I read that somebody is trying to scare them off with beach balls, which would be nice if it works.

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  4. What a nice collection of photos and observations.

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  5. A wonderful score for the environment. Thank you for sharing, Kerry,

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    1. Thank you Linda. BTW I am very impressed with your work for the Green Party in Canada.

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  6. Really fun wildlife and wildlife cues. The only one I did not care for was the sea lions. I have been that close and the smell is not so nice.

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    1. They can be a little fragrant, but it's not too bad in the chilly weather usually found on the OR coast.

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  7. Some great finds, I like watching the sea lions.

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    1. The sea lions are amazing to watch. North of here though, they are pests who destroy the salmon populations.

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  8. great photos and commentary. I'm especially impressed with the wing impressions in the mud.

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    1. It took me awhile to figure it out, but I'm sure that's what those marks were, situated just below a limb where the owl likes to perch.

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  9. hehehe, so funny!! I love those little bunnies but they can wreak havoc in the garden!! Very cool image of the sea lions!!

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    1. I should just not plant lettuce or peas. Then I would never get mad at those cute little guys.

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  10. Wow. The sea lions picture is awesome. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

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  11. You're so creative with your posts! Looks like nature is winning. :) Awesome shots of the elks and the sea lions. Interesting find on the wing imprints.

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    1. At first I was disappointed that the rain obscured the animals, but decided to use the pics anyway. Must go back when the sun is out!

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  12. I wonder if the elk simply felt safer in the open.

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    1. Maybe so. They can see all around. Plus, what a nice soft bed that pasture must've made.

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