Flying Squirrels
I met a young couple today as I was cutting logs for future water
bars and steps to be installed later in the season. They had just photographed
a flying squirrel in flight, which is gliding from one tree to another. A
sighting I have not had in 12 seasons as Ridgerunner in the Smokies. I had never seen these nocturnal animals, but
one other time in my lifetime of 73 years and enjoyed the photo. At night I
have seen their little red eyes glowing high up in trees back home in Kentucky.
Only one time had I
spotted several up in a dead tree while hiking our woods above our house in
Fairdale, Kentucky 15 years ago. My wife
and I were enjoying a pleasant summer afternoon, taking in the wildlife on
beautiful sunny day.
A friend used to say if you retain just one little golden
nugget from his Sunday school class then all his studying and preparation was
worth it. I feel that way as I hike along daily in the Smokies, or anywhere, as
a Ridgerunner or just hiking on a quiet nature path. A chance sighting of a big owl sleeping in a
tree, a coyote trotting through the woods, a bear on its back sleeping, or a
big
Pileated woodpecker making that hollow sound while searching for bugs in a dead tree or a huge raven gliding into a tree near you; these are some of those golden nuggets like that little flying squirrel so seldom seen.
If you notice looking for the picture of a
squirrel, there is none. I am sorry to say that I inadvertently erased the
email sent to me for this blog and I do hope the young couple who graciously
sent it to me will do so a second time and I will try again.Pileated woodpecker making that hollow sound while searching for bugs in a dead tree or a huge raven gliding into a tree near you; these are some of those golden nuggets like that little flying squirrel so seldom seen.
Keep Hiking,
Carl, aka Greybeard
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