Maggie and I went out to the farm the other day, which is not news since we do that every single day to feed the chickens and collect eggs.
Just before we reached the main gate I looked off to my left and saw the coyote which has been killing our chickens of late. He was standing in a hollow about one-hundred yards from us. Maggie did not see him. So I parked the truck on the farm, now maybe two-hundred yards from where the coyote had been seen, and Maggie and I got out of the truck. Maggie sniffed the air once and took off running in the direction of the coyote. Mind you, we could not see the coyote from where I parked the truck, but Maggie was aware enough of the scent, carried on a gentle breeze, and she was off and running.
It was an amazing moment, really. Of course I am aware that animals have keen senses, but to actually see just how keen, firsthand, took my breath away.
Things like that happen all the time on the farm.
Did you know that chickens have independent eyes? One eye is constantly looking at the ground in search of food; the other eye is always looking for predators. It’s pretty cool to watch if you find yourself on a farm someday.
There’s a llama out at the farm, and the two sheep that are at the farm instinctively stay close to the llama for protection. Two difference species which somehow understand their roles in a partnership.
Walk up to that llama and the first thing she will do is put her face directly in front of your face, and I’m talking two or three inches. She is smelling you, determining whether you can be trusted, and one thing you can do, to build that trust, is to gently blow air in the llamas face. I swear I’m not making this up. I’ve done it, and that llama will come to the fence line to greet me whenever I’m at the farm . . . because she trusts me, and I passed the greeting ritual with flying colors.
It’s all just fascinating to me!
There are also guinea hens on the farm, and peacocks, and when they sense a predator is nearby (usually the same coyote) they will join in on a chorus of high-pitched screeching to warn all, and as soon as that screeching commences Cleo, the farm dog who lives there, will come racing out of the home to chase off the coyote. Who needs ADT Security when you have guinea hens and peacocks?
Anyway, the point is this: there is a big old world out there which is fascinating if we allow ourselves to observe, and observation is a valuable tool for a writer. Go take a nature walk and really observe what’s happening around you. Go walk downtown and really observe the people you see. It’s all there for you, for free, and it is all fuel for the next short story or novel.
Next week I think we’ll talk about ground fog if you have no objections.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 