Wow! has it been that long since I made an entry here?
Well, night before last, I drove north about fifteen miles along Skiline Drive and back starting at 8pm. In order,
here is what I experienced:
1. I saw a stripped skunk.
2. An owl flew across the road about 100 feet in front of my car.
3. A large black bear was getting ready to cross the road, turned and ran back into the woods as my car approached.
4. A white-tailed deer with a fawn were trotting along the road in front of my car. I stayed way back
to keep from stressing them.
5. The doe suddenly stopped, looking intently down hill into a small meadow.
6. I saw the black bear that she was concerned about for the safety of her fawn.
7. The doe lead her fawn quietly in a different direction from the bear.
8. I watched the bear for a while until I lost sight of it.
9. I drove to Thouroghfare Mt. Overlook to look for the full moon to rise over Old Rag Mt.
10. No moon to see, too hazy, with low clouds to the east.
11. Getting dark as I waited out of the car looking east. Then heard the call of a fox somewhere down the hill
from me, probably just a 100 yards or less from me.
12. Driving back to Big Meadows, a barred owl swooped down in front of my windshield, jammed on the brakes and came within
a foot of that owl. I could read the individual bars on its breast.
13. Almost back to big Meadows, a small fuzzy critter was on the road in front of me. It was hard to see clearly
in the headlights, but I think it was a baby/juvenile groundhog.
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Not bad for wildlife observations during one hour in the car.
