Life After Peace Corps - The Boisterous Creatures in the Woods

The Boisterous Creatures in the Woods

May 14, 2013

Since I moved to my “Little Cabin on the Hill”, I no longer take buses to work.  Instead, I walk.  Early morning, the air is crisp but the sun is warm and welcoming.   If there is a wind, it usually is very mild.  Spring time, the walk is exceptionally delightful for my neighborhood is remarkably verdant.  By late April, every hillside is covered by emerald foliage and with profusion of wildflowers. They fill the air with sweet fragrance.   

I am usually alone on my footpath, but it does not take long for me to realize that I am actually not alone.  As soon as I enter to the county park, I am accompanied by many earthly creatures.   After a long winter, wildlife inside the park resumes active, squirrels are running back and forth between trees to mark territories and other flying insects are beginning to emerge as well. 

Hidden inside the wooded areas where big tall trees reside are lots of birds.  They are extremely vocal in the morning.   I am captivated by their vociferous abilities and enthralled by the sweet melodies made by these song birds.  At first I thought all the birds make the same noise but as I pay more attention to their calls, I begin to distinguish the variety of tunes made by different birds.  Some birds send out a quick, sharp cry, it sounds like “my tree, my tree” as if they are giving out warning to other birds that the trees are their realm.  Other birds make a long, soft and iterated call, happily exchange flirtations with other birds.  Some birds’ shriek are very interesting, they have rhythm, like the “quick, quick, slow” step dance.  Their songs echo inside the forest tirelessly, over and over.   Standing in the mid of their world, I am gratified by their performance; enjoy a free concert orchestrated by these song loving creatures. 

One spring morning, not only was I impressed by these charming singing fellows, I was actually stunned by their audacity.  Dawn, at the entrance of the county park, for no apparent reason, I was harassed by a little bird.  This bold fellow perched on a park fence.  As soon as I got closer to her, she reacted very belligerently towards me.  Her wings half opened; her tail elevated up to a 75 degree position, and she kept making this croaky cry.  I approached her with caution and made a friendly whisper to calm her down.  Immediately, she flew up to a tree branch above me, still not willing to leave, continued to bully me with the hoarse scream.  I stood there and looked up to where she landed, implored to her with an even more friendly gesture.  But she continued to stand her ground, not willing to budge.   Finally, I detected a small nest hidden behind branches.  It was her babies she was guarding. 

This little bird is no bigger than a tennis ball, but to protect her young she was willing to put up a fruitless fight, sacrifice her life to defend her family.  She was a devoted mother.

Through the jungle I know my way, I know my path, I know my footing, I know my hidden ways. I fear no other animal but one,  Mankind.

I had given her the fear......I must appologize
Not wanting to irritate her further, I carried on with my journey.

I fancy my morning walk every day, look forward to getting more acquaintances with the earthly creatures inside the park.