Life Is A Highway

Rebecca MorganConservation & Wildlife Management

There has been a lot of traffic at our place in recent months, so much so, that a particular song came to mind… “Life is a highway. I want to ride it all night long,” by Rascal Flatts.  

Barred owl patrolling his ‘beat’.

Even at dusk and dawn, we’re enjoying the unexpected wildlife sightings from our front row seats, though for the late night jaunts, we can only guess. They nonchalantly parade past our sliding door as if they own the place, and in reality, it is theirs, as they were likely here first.  We share this outdoor paradise.  

We’ve seen turkey strut on by, with one becoming a bit obsessed with himself as he fell in love with his own reflection in our sliding door.   When I saw the Partridge Family walk on by, I thought, “I think I love you.”  (I do hope you remember this classic by David Cassidy, who played Keith Partridge.)  

There are the regulars, of course, with all colors of squirrels, chipmunks, and lots of birds.  We’ve seen bunnies, though this does not excite me as one who gardens.  That also goes for the racoons, by the way. 

Just 2% are reported to make it ‘home’

There are seasonal passerbys, such as the snapping turtle who faithfully comes to lay her eggs in the late spring. One night I saw an opossum saunter by, and the next a porcupine.

But perhaps the most surprising highway traveler was a beautiful bobcat.  Could it be the recent sightings of Pileated Woodpeckers is a draw for this feline?  It’s definitely a strong possibility.  

Slow and steady they are.

One thing is for sure, here you don’t have to worry about travel delays related to road construction or repair.  Here the state tree remains the mighty White Pine, not the orange traffic cones or barrels that have become a part of the road landscape in Michigan.  You never know what you’re going to see.  The biggest challenge is having your phone ready to capture the moment. These creatures have an open invitation from us to, as Aerosmith sings… “Walk This Way!”

Rebecca Morgan
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