On the hunt

Bliss the big hunter

Bliss has been running hard and kept that keen nose of his busy in the grass and under the spruce trees which seemed to harbour traces of what? Rabbits perhaps?
Bunnies seem to be his favourite target lately, also feral cats whose prints we have seen in the snow.

But as you can see, the snow is melting this day. It has continued its seesaw effect, first rain and mild, followed by a sudden drop in temperature and snow. Then comes a deep freeze, bitter winds and roses in my cheeks as we walk around the fields. Then a sudden southerly and warm wind brings rain again and occasionally sun.

This is one of our favourite walking spots - along the edge of one field, crossing into another through a rocky pathway over an old split rail fence. Then down into a little ravine with a creek running through it. The creek has been dammed several times by beavers so there are several small ponds north of this pretty rocky spot. Fun to explore.

But this winter navigating is much simpler than in past years with three or more feet of snow. You can see the moss-blanketed rocks and detritus of last year's leaves and twigs on the mounded dirt that has collected over the last 100 or so years from the early pioneer days.

There is no snow here, nor much in the field beyond to the south.

The winter wheat field that this rocky ridge runs alongside, is more mud than snow-covered field once again this week. I wonder as I walk and look at the green grass-like sprouts in tidy rows: will the wheat and other crops dependent on a heavy snow do well this spring?

I wonder too about my gorgeous garden, so full of perennials that usually weather winter so very well. But then they are usually covered with huge drifts of snow keeping them from this freeze-thaw routine we're experiencing this winter. Will the poppies survive, the many daffodils I've planted? The iris? The bluets?

It must be hard too for the little creatures... no snowdrifts to make tunnels through. Ground covered in six or more inches of water, little holes with muddy entrances. On the plus side, they along with the deer and other creatures more often have easy access to food, but those who are also food for coyotes and wolves, and predatory birds will also be more accessible. Thought provoking.

The dogs wait while I take a picture, snow in some spots not in others in this tiny ravine. They're anxious to get back to hunting - what they like to do best, though they seldom catch anything... it's all in the chase I guess.

And so on we go for another half hour or so, the dogs exploring and me enjoying the fresh air and continuing with my puzzling over it all. Then I decide just to enjoy being outside with them, able to walk around such beautiful areas, wild and tamed both. 

But it does make me think more about climate change and where it might lead us. Do you have days where you wander and wonder?