just a day saying hello to the land

[oldman]

I took a long walk around my property yesterday and met a couple of the locals. I stopped under a pine tree for a moment to take in the view when a squirrel came down a branch and sat there just about a foot from me. It was just looking at me and made no sound at all. I looked at it and cocked my head as to ask what are you doing? and it stretched its neck and came a bit closer. I put out my hand and it jumped from the branch onto my arm.I spoke in a gentle voice and told it that I was glad to meet a neighbor but that I had to continue my walk. The squirrel walked up to my shoulder and then jumped back on the tree. I turned and walked away and it got back to doing whatever it was doing before. About twenty minutes further in my walk I came up over a slight rise and there was a coyote standing there. I sat down to make myself smaller as the coyote watched. He was just a bit nervous so I spoke to him to help calm him down. He walked toward me to about three feet away and sat down. I spoke with him and he would occasionally do that submissive whimper that dogs do. I was struck by this animals trust. He finally laid down and rolled over onto his back, watching me the whole time. I quietly told him that I should be getting back and that it was very nice to meet him. He rolled back over so his feet were under him and as I stood up he stayed there lying down. I had expected him to run because around these parts coyotes are shot as pests. He just laid there as I walked away.

All in all it was a very exciting and calming walk. I will be doing that more often.