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[lawgirlMI]

Yeah, I don't blame ya...A cougar "will" stalk a human...And you would never even know it...!

 

Which is exactly what freaked me out!  I have no idea how to defend myself against that!

[utility slug]

Which is exactly what freaked me out!  I have no idea how to defend myself against that!

A pistol is very effective.   It's you or him.   He's got the tools, but you've got the brain.

[Whiskers]

Oh, and I love Sterling State Park too.  I hike there a lot around the lagoon with my camera.  So relaxing and gorgeous there.

My mom lives out there where the property borders the state park. She has had some issues with the coyotes and skunks. She sees lots of dear too. Her dog, a white poodle mix or somesort has been sprayed a couple times by the skunks they get so close. And she has to watch the dog now because the coyotes were getting way to close! 

[SidecarFlip]

My mom lives out there where the property borders the state park. She has had some issues with the coyotes and skunks. She sees lots of dear too. Her dog, a white poodle mix or somesort has been sprayed a couple times by the skunks they get so close. And she has to watch the dog now because the coyotes were getting way to close! 

I have a Ruger PC9 for varmits.............

Ah, yes the beauty of Nature in Monroe County.....The quarry at Holcim, The lagoons at Ford Monroe Stamping, the Allied Waste landfill off Hagman Road, The River Raisin choked with refrigerators and discarded tires, Lucas's junkyard bordering scenic US23 with all the 'late model' wrecks for all to see....need I go on?

[BigRedDog]

I had my oldest daughter in the truck with me on Saturday...   we were heading south on LaPlaisance road just sout of Jones Ave...    "what is that" she said and pointed just off the side of the road.....   this large bird was just spinning in circles...    we turned around and went back...  it was a turkey....   he stayed at the edge of the road and even wandered into the road a couple of times...  I think maybe he had been hit by a car...  we sat there maybe 5 minutes and he walked around some just the width of the road away from us...  I couldn't see any blood or feathers missing or broken legs or anything...   real strange.

[the nosh]

A pistol is very effective.   It's you or him.   He's got the tools, but you've got the brain.

unless its johnny cougar slugger!!! 

[utility slug]

unless its johnny cougar slugger!!! 

Understand !

[SidecarFlip]

Actually, I need to retract (partially) my smart assed reply.

I find it very inspiring and relaxing at the same time to be in the middle of a field, way out in the country, in the night (I tend to farm late), especially when I'm raking hay.  I turn off the tractor and all the lights and sit there listing to the engine tick as it cools off.  It's really dark.  I mean so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face and I can hear the crickets and the rustle in the woods of animals scurrying around and if I look up in the sky to the north, usually I can see the northern lights.  I find myself closer to God and everything he created.  It's very peaceful.

Many times, as it gets closer to nightfall, when out in the field, the deer will come right out in the field with me.  I guess because the tractor runs at a steady speed and noise level, they don't have a fear of it.  I've had them walk right in front of the headlights, no more than 10 feet out front.  Not run, just walk by.  It's an strange feeling being out there all alone.

The coyotes baying in the distance will send a chill up your spine, reminding you that you are alone but you are in the tractor surrounded by steel and iron and of course any time I do go out and farm late, my varmit rifle is in the tractor just in case.  I've never had thye ocassion to use it but I have seen wild dogs on field edges.  So long as they are respectful of my presence, I act accordingly.

[MonroeMom]

Actually, I need to retract (partially) my smart assed reply.

I find it very inspiring and relaxing at the same time to be in the middle of a field, way out in the country, in the night (I tend to farm late), especially when I'm raking hay.  I turn off the tractor and all the lights and sit there listing to the engine tick as it cools off.  It's really dark.  I mean so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face and I can hear the crickets and the rustle in the woods of animals scurrying around and if I look up in the sky to the north, usually I can see the northern lights.  I find myself closer to God and everything he created.  It's very peaceful.

Many times, as it gets closer to nightfall, when out in the field, the deer will come right out in the field with me.  I guess because the tractor runs at a steady speed and noise level, they don't have a fear of it.  I've had them walk right in front of the headlights, no more than 10 feet out front.  Not run, just walk by.  It's an strange feeling being out there all alone.
The coyotes baying in the distance will send a chill up your spine, reminding you that you are alone but you are in the tractor surrounded by steel and iron and of course any time I do go out and farm late, my varmit rifle is in the tractor just in case.  I've never had thye ocassion to use it but I have seen wild dogs on field edges.  So long as they are respectful of my presence, I act accordingly.

Just beautiful.... I'm a city girl, but I wish I could experience such an intimacy with Nature as you have, ScF.  Wow.............

[SidecarFlip]

Beautiful piece of writing...I could really visualize the words flowing from your writing voice...you ever thought of being a writer?

rustle in the woods
animals scurrying
closer to God
coyotes baying

All fantastic word choice.

Thanks for sharing!

Not a problem.  I wish sometimes everyone could share that experience.  That's what farming is about.  Being alone and doing ot alone, at least a little farmer like me.  I guess if I had a wagon load of folks out there with me, they'd all be talking and laughing and you have to be real quiet and attentive to appreciate the little sounds that everyday noises drown out.

I don't mind going to the city but I always look forward to getting back to where I live, the country.

I'll never be a writer.  It's very hard to put in words what I actually experience out there.  Even the words I put down don't really describe it.  One has to experience it first hand.  I'm not a religious person but I do believe in God and I feel closer to God when I'm out in the field than any other time.  It's sort of my own private chburch.

[SidecarFlip]

Just beautiful.... I'm a city girl, but I wish I could experience such an intimacy with Nature as you have, ScF.  Wow.............

MM:

Thanks.  I grew up as a city kid.  I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be farming but here I am and I never regret for one minute living out here in the boonies.

I am, for some reason philosophical tonite.