My mood and energy levels were boosted after getting some pics late in yesterday’s lumber, so I was eager to get back in the woods today for more miles, and hopefully some more critters to photograph.

Things started off pretty good when, as I got my shit together in the parking lot, I saw a deer meandering out of the brush and across the limestone path leading to the trails. We exchanged good mornings, and then it went one way and I went the other.

Then, about a quarter of a mile down the path, near the bridge, through some brush, I could see a Great Blue Heron standing in the river. This is right about the time that every blue heron flies away from me. But not this time! I quietly made my way across the bridge and fired off a few shots before continuing on. I looked back over my shoulder as I was about to hit the dirt, and the heron was gone.

The next couple of miles were pretty low-key, and I didn’t see much. Then, as I exited the covered bridge heading to the trail that it’s named after, there was a large group of Cedar Waxwings flitting around in the trees.

The Cedar Waxwing is one of my favorite birds, but I rarely see them. Now, I’ve got a few pics over the last couple of days. My only regret is that the sun had yet to really break through the morning mist, and the lighting was horrible. BUT I got some pics, and that’s what I wanted.

While on Covered Bridge Trail, I saw a group of deer, including two large bucks, on the other side of the park fence. The bucks immediately snorted loudly and took off, and a few does went with them. One lone deer stayed behind to stare at me for a few seconds, and then it too took off into the woods.

Around Mile 4, I was on the trail past the campground and saw that the Spliff-Smoking Meth Teeth Kid, his Big Boned Goth Girl, and their dog, are STILL camping. This makes day 17! I can barely stand to camp for one night, let alone over two weeks in a county park. Given that they literally have large rubber bins holding seemingly everything they own, I’m starting to think they just live there now. I kind of want to ask them if they’re OK, but I also don’t want to be sold meth or be put under some black magic spell.

By Mile 5, my hunger was starting to kick in, and rather than gawk around for critters, I found myself content to push on to the end.

Then, just after a hit Mile 6, I made my way up the steps of the suspension bridge across the river, and there was a lone deer in the shallow river eating lily pads and other river foliage. At this point, the sun was now fully out, and the light was a little harsh, but it was cool to stand atop the bridge watching a deer eat its breakfast.

I finished up with 6.22 miles hiked, and now sit at 23.54 miles on the week thus far.

Later.

THE SOILED SOUNDS TRACK OF THE POST

Today’s track comes from Travelin’ Man, AKA Joao Braun from Stuttgart, Germany. Travelin’ Man writes super catchy, indie-garage-fuzz-pop-punk, and the song Someone To Kill from the latest album titled 10 Singles is one of my favorite tracks in a long list of favorite tracks.