"The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans" - Jim Fowler
Project 365: #129
I am not surprised that Americans always ask Africans whether lions and other wildlife roam the streets, as the wildlife here really does roam the streets. I wondered why the front gardens all look similar, with pretty boring plantings...the reason is that the deer eat what they find tasty...so pretty much your whole garden! I see deer everyday munching away on something delicious in gardens in the suburb. So, as a result, I am a little anxious about the bear family, and what to do if I come across them when out running. I haven't done enough research to know whether I back away slowly with averted eyes, or just turn and run like mad! Anyway, yesterday I was relieved to find these path markers. I had originally thought they were to mark flood levels for the stream I was running next to, but on closer inspection they turned out to be numbered location markers with cell phone beacons, with clear instructions what to do and who to phone should you come across bears so you can be safely extricated!
As it turns out though, we should probably be more worried about what is in the garden! It was such a boiling day that Nicole was having an after-supper swim at about 8 pm, when suddenly she squealed, and walked on water out the pool, mumbling gibberish about a snake racing towards her. Snake? Oh please, you must have been dreaming...must have been a leaf? Nope, it turns out it was a snake....a southern ringneck that rushed her from the skimmer box! It was safely extricated from the pool by Caitlin and released into the garden to eat all the other scary things we haven't come across yet! It was quite an eventful day at the pool yesterday as Nicole had already saved a large mommy spider with hundreds of babies on her back earlier! (Not sure that I will be swimming after dark now!!) So far, we have seen amazing birds, butterflies, snakes, spiders, squirrels, rabbits, mice, and chipmunks in the garden! Our quality of life has been enhanced by all these little creatures! Paradise!
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