Take A Walk On The Wild Side

There was a song with that title many years ago, and it came to mind recently when we had a couple of “wildlife adventures” of our own.Terri and I went to Tennessee a couple of weeks ago, and of course we visited the Great Smokey Mountain National Park one day. While driving through Cades Cove, we were treated to close encounters with deer and a flock of wild turkeys. What was so interesting about this for us is how used to people these animals have become. They were totally unconcerned about people walking up to within a few feet of them to take their picture. We were very grateful for the opportunity, and thanked them for their willingness to be seen by so many people.We then decided to drive up a gravel road to return to the Townsend area, as there was a great hiking trail we wanted to try out that lead off that road. It was a wonderful drive – few cars and breathtaking views. After our hike, we were slowly driving on this road when Terri said “slow down!”Several yards ahead we saw a black bear – long legged with a shining black coat – walk casually onto the road in front of us. He seemed totally unconcerned with our presence, and lumbered slowly across the road to the other side where there was a small slope upward. We decided to keep the car inching along, and we also decided it would be a very good idea to roll up the car windows. As we came alongside of this bear, who was now on the slope no more than 2 feet from Terri’s car window, slowly turned and looked us directly in the eye. The connection was instantaneous and amazing – he was so open and trusting of us. There was gentleness and kindness and curiosity in that gaze. The bear energetically felt very open and light-filled and bursting with health and vitality… very different than bears we have seen in captivity. He held our gaze unwaveringly as we slowly inched by. We thanked him for allowing us to connect, for sharing with us so trustingly. It was one of the most amazing interactions I have ever had with a non-domestic being.Once we arrived home, we returned to our normal routine. As those of you who have horses know, one of the truly difficult things about having a horse in this area in the summer is horseflies. If you don’t know what these insects are – they are BIG – I have seen them almost an inch long head to abdomen. Their bite is extremely painful and can cause huge welts and swellings on both humans and horses. They are also fearless and persistent when hungry. Normally they swarm for about 2 weeks in August, and then they disappear. This year, they are hanging around well into September.I was walking down our driveway, and I noticed a group of these flies in a particular area of the driveway and adjoining pasture. Unlike their normal behavior, they did not try to land on me, but rather flew in front of me and hovered. I asked them not to bite me and moved on. Two in particular were very persistent. When I would slow and stop, they would come and hover a few feet in front of me, about chest high. They stayed there, maintaining a constant position. After we did a stop/start dance a few times, I stopped and asked them what they wanted to say to me. They gave me an impression of concern about their family. I asked why they were clustered around one specific area and they gave me an impression of a nest. This communication was very different from the communication with the bear. They gave me in information in a “group voice”, and the impressions were almost vague or fuzzy, just a nuance or impression as opposed to a clear picture or word. I decided to make a deal with the flies. I asked the two group “representatives” if they would agree not to bite our animals or ourselves in exchange for us not disturbing their nest. I also asked if they would consider keeping the number of their offspring balanced with the property, so that we would not be overcome with them next year. I got a general impression of assent, and then they were gone. I have seen very few horseflies since that evening, and they do not seem to be bothering the horses.The common thread in both of these wildlife encounters is simply this: if we approach Nature cooperatively and with respect, Nature responds in kind to us. The result can be some very amazing experiences!