That quote from the Wizard of Oz is, to mix books a bit, really more like something from Dr. Seuss’ To Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street, where the story keeps getting bigger and bigger until it deflates at the end. I didn’t actually see lions or tigers or bears, but I did see at least one very unusual thing, one imaginative thing, and many lovely things. And to think that I saw them at McDowell Forest Preserve!
The morning was a chilly one and evidently there hadn’t been any people out recently because as I came to a turn in the path and looked up, I saw two deer, a doe and a buck. As I only had my phone, you’ll have to look closely.
When my eyes turned to the path, I saw another doe, and as I got a bit closer, her dilemma was clear: “Should I stay or should I go?”
Her decision was clear, even if the photo wasn’t. I do love the live function on my iPhone, though, as when I view the photo, it moves and I can even choose which frame to feature.
That would have been enough to make my morning. But wait, there’s more. This bit of peaceful river was quite nice.
Then I spotted a wood cobra, apparently ready to strike! 🙂
But “B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet.” (As I already quoted from The Clash, I might as well include Bachman-Turner Overdrive, right?) As I looked to the side of the path, I saw a dead body, not human, but what I believe was a mink. Even after turning it over with a stick, (the body was frozen stiff), I couldn’t see any wounds, so I have no idea how it died. It must have been there overnight, as its fur was frost-tipped.
This wasn’t a surprising place to find a mink, as they live near water, although I had no idea there were any around. They’re quite ferocious and you can see from this one’s teeth, that have obviously been used, that you wouldn’t want to tangle with one if you were an animal.
All that was left was to spot this beautiful sky as well as some amazing ice crystals on grass and twigs and my morning was complete.
As it’s tradition to partake of something sweet after our Monday walk, I must report that I went back to a lovely breakfast of homemade granola with yogurt, not too sweet, but quite good. I have enough for another bowl if you’d like.
for Jo’s Monday Walk
Hmm, I guess I forgot that Jo isn’t walking today, because I don’t see a post from her. I hope you enjoyed the walk anyway and I’m off to the park again, this time in search of wildflowers (hopefully). Happy Monday!
This, that and the other thing 
Quite a walk! Love the wood cobra and the clouds in the last one !
It was quite a walk. I had another excellent one this morning. Spring has finally arrived and I’m thrilled.
I am glad for you, we are into autumn and it is quite misty here today
You certainly see some fascinating things on your walks Janet.
Some days I don’t see anything unusual, but that was a good day and today was a good one as well. 🙂
What an exciting walk! Love the wood cobra 😃 and I’ve never seen a mink up close so thanks for inspecting it 😂
The mink was the most unusual thing I’ve found, I think. The wood cobra was fun, though, and it was quite a good walk.
That was quite an adventure, Janet. Great pictures – proving the best camera is the one you have – I love the jumping deer, and the fluffy sky!
Yes, that’s true about the camera, Dan. Today I went out with phone and Nikon and had a wonderful, warm, two-hour walk. Nothing as unusual as the mink, but I did see and “shoot” three deer. 🙂
I hope you share those (I haven’t looked yet today)
Not today, Dan, but I will. 😊
Scrolling through this was like ‘being home again’ – seeing the deciduous trees and those deer. That was a magnificent mid-leap catch. But wait, Toto, we’re not in Mississippi if that’s a mink – and wow, even in death it has a powerful presence.
Thanks for walking along, Lisa. The mink was quite a find and it certainly does have a presence. Today’s walk was also quite nice. The wildflowers are getting ready to pop open, so I have to be sure to get out as often as possible to catch them at it. 🙂
That wood cobra was scarier than that mink’s teeth! I sure wouldn’t want to see the other guy!
Since the mink was dead, a wood(en) cobra is probably just as scary. 🙂 I do wish I knew what killed the mink, though. I’m happy it wasn’t ripped up.
So now do you have a mink collar on your coat? Waste not, want not.
Riiiiiight! No, I don’t. I let it be recycled naturally. 🙂
What a walk! I like the cobra and deer. Poor mink. Those clouds were lovely too.
I felt a bit sorry for the mink, too, but all the critters it would have killed would probably rejoice to know it was dead. 🙂 Another excellent walk today.
Wow, what an interesting walk, Janet. I’m not sure which I most wouldn’t want to see, the dead mink or the wood cobra. 😯 The deer is really cute though. Great captures.
If the wood cobra were real, I’d certainly prefer the dead mink. The mink is possibly the most unusual animal I’ve found, so that really made my day. 🙂 The deer’s tails are about a foot long and I always love to see them bound away or jump over something.
It’s hard to beat a peaceful walk in the woods and poking dead things with a stick. 🤡
Nice photos, Janet. I love the river photo and the way you framed it with the trees in the foreground.
Ω
Poking dead things with a stick is preferable to poking live ones, especially in this case. 🙂 Today’s walk was another good one, muddy but excellent. No mink, but three deer.
I would’ve loved to sit down with a bowl of granola and yogurt and talk with you about everything we’d seen on the walk!
Oh, that would be so delightful. Perhaps one day my husband and I will make it to your part of the world or you to ours. It would be a joy to meet. In the meantime, you can make the granola if you like. It’s quite good and I eat it almost every morning, sometimes with yogurt and sometimes with almond milk. 🙂
Holding thumbs that we really can share a meal or two with your good company one day, Janet!
A very interesting and enjoyable stroll, even poking a dead animal with a stick. The things we do when he have a camera or cameraphone on hand. 🙂
So true. I wouldn’t have poked it if it were alive, nor would I have gotten close enough to do so. 🙂 I probably wouldn’t have even seen it.
Wow! What a great walk! (Clearly demonstrates the pleasures of walking out of doors!)
Oh, yes, walking outdoors is the best. 🙂 Today my outdoors was working in the yard, but… 🙂
Same! Still nice 🙂
Lovely walk with interesting captures Janet.
Thanks. I’m very glad you enjoyed it. 🙂