Morning Wildlife

My short run along Sligo Creek this morning turned into a wildlife viewing trek.  First up was a fox that crossed the trail, moving up from the creek, across Sligo Creek Parkway, and up onto the wooded hillside.  Foxes are very alert, and wary. I paused and jogged in place to watch it, and it paused on the hillside to watch me.  After a bit, it must have felt a little insecure, turned and moved a few feet farther up the hill, then turned to watch me again.

Next was a squirrel with a mouthful of leaves, scampering up a very small tree.  I knew it must be headed up to pad its nest in a taller tree, and stopped to watch.  It worked its way from one small tree to another, then out to the end of a branch for a leap through the air onto the side of the trunk of a tall tree.  I wonder how many trips it will take to get enough leaves for the nest.  Meanwhile, in the creek behind me, a pair of mallards swam downstream.

I ran on up the trail about a quarter mile, where there is a larger field as the trail and creek move apart.  There, three deer browsed and I stopped to watch.  They weren't close to the trail, but one in particular was nervous about my presence, and soon flipped its white tail up and trotted a few yards closer to the creek.  When I returned back down the trail a few minutes later, they had crossed the creek to a grassy field between the creek and the parkway.  I guess cars are less scary than runners.