The Free Radical

Although we can feel the dynamic in play, our minds are being dragged– kicking and screaming– into new territory. Our own habits press us for interpretations, explanations and analysis. But it’s okay to just watch and let it all unfold… when it’s all just the rhythms of our new/ancient collective nature rolling out.

Each morning now starts with a handful of fresh goji berries… standing in the driveway, before I even load the dogs into the truck for our walk on the other side of the valley.

As we go, handfuls of gooseberries, saskatoonberries and raspberries will be added to those gojis. I almost feel guilty for all of the fruit being left on the vine each day, as I can’t possibly eat it all– even with the eager help of the dogs. Sitka has learned to pick her own gooseberries and saskatoons, while Toby and Lhasa wait upon my generosity; all three defer to my expertise with the picking of raspberries– they tend to be higher up on the plants.

There’s such a contrast here with the superficial barrenness interspersed with an incredible abundance and beauty!

The daisies tend to go overboard…

…even getting jammed between my toes.

And the animal encounters too tend to come thick and fast in flurries of “Holy shit!” moments.

This picture is a bit of a fluke. I was lucky enough to see Hawk take a short flight from the ground to the perch in this tree; I saw where she landed, but couldn’t really see her in the tree. I just took a chance and snapped a pic of the place I’d seen her disappear… and was happy during photo editing when I confirmed that I’d been right.

Hawk still comes to join us nearly daily, sometimes just calling in the distance, and other times playing in an aerial display with her companion.

For two straight days, our hawk encounters have been immediately followed by bear encounters. In only one of the instances did I actually catch a glimpse of the bear, as Sitka has taken on the duty of barking and chasing to keep them at a safe distance. She only barks at bears, so it makes it pretty easy to keep track.

Then, yesterday, a few minutes after the latest bear encounter, while I was engaged in picking handfuls of raspberries, Sitka alerted me to movement nearby. I looked up to see the head of a coyote poking through the tall grass, coming very near to our position. The dogs couldn’t see him– they’re too short– and they listened well when I told them quietly to “Stay close.” Coyote was just curious, keeping tabs. After a minute, he moved on into the western backcountry again.

We’re all having a pretty good time, integrating with the local wildlife. And the dogs seem pleased with their own roles of patrolling the perimeter.

We’ve gotten to know each other already pretty well… and I think we’re all happy for the company.