Today I saw a mountain lion, absent
was my phone or camera, and I might not
have thought of those anyway, rapture being
the single emotion that leapt in my heart;
She was hunkered close to the ground,
casting the dogs and me a backward glance
with a twitch of her long, thick tail as if
to say yes, it has been my scat you were
rolling in, spotted one, and yes, your instincts
are sharp and clear, but I am, after all, noble
enough to escape nearly any predator
save man and his blasted firearms, ever eager
to blow another to oblivion out of sheer panic,
fear, ignorance of nature’s laws;
The wild ones themselves never frighten me,
I have never feared anything I have witnessed
in forest, field or ocean, and nearly any creature
will turn and sidle away, given respect and space,
and I am always left with childlike joy and wonder,
feeling twice blessed, awaiting another meeting,
if nature so deems it.

Caught recently on a ranch cam in New Mexico, photographer yet to be revealed
I am not so courageous, but that would be a magical encounter. (K)
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Well, K, i’ve lived out on the wild most of my life. I trust my senses, and nothing has ever threatened to harm me, from sharks to mountain lions! they are usually leery of humans, and for good reason! Thanks for reading. it was indeed magical! π
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It’s not the sighting that creates trepidation, but the brain’s quick search for relevant information and comes up with ‘dangerous predator!’ I’m just glad he/she was well fed!
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Yeah, who knows how full she was? But for sure she was not going to attack, never mind I had two dogs and myself. I don’t think she would have tried it, even if she had been aggressive, which she was not. I have never attracted that kind of energy from any wild animal. And I know what you mean about the brain, except I’m not a brain centered person. Neither is my husband. We’re both pretty gut centered, which makes us well suited to one another! Peace, Eliza! πΉπ
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The way to be! ππΌ
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This is a gift – to recognize an other animal and accept it in its very being. Mental fear and surge of adrenaline is easily picked up by other animalsβ¦ and humans.
Thank you for sharing this πππ»π
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Yes! And you are right. I learned to ground out any trepidation years ago while working w horses. I have had encounters (within 10′) of a female moose, deer, fisher cat w her babies, a big black bear. Sharks and giant mantas in the ocean. It’s all too magical to refuse to make the adjustments! Blessings, Val! ππ
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In any great adventure I would want you by my side.
Looking for the magic feels so right πππ
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Oh, it is! I would love to join you! Who knows what we would see?! πβ€οΈ
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Wonderful to blend with nature and hold no fear.
Mighty is the contest of mutual respect. β¨οΈ ππ
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Unfortunately, for too long we have become apart, separate from nature, when in fact we are a part of the wonderful natural world. πππββοΈ
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Wow!
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Twas uber cool! π€©
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Oh I bet. And I get that regret for not having camera in hand. They are so elusive.
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Oh my gosh. Chris has been walking up the hillside several times a day, trying to catch a glimpse of her! π of course, it hasn’t happened. But then again, he sees stuff that I never get to see! It is the way of the wild creatures. π
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π
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Hi Bela,
Loved the closing lines ( and I quote) as well as that magnificent action photo!
“……..and I am always left with childlike joy and wonder,
feeling twice blessed, awaiting another meeting,
if nature so deems it.”
I suppose the genesis and progress of life reside in ‘childlike joy and wonder’ For, taken together, this is what remains as the fountainhead of all creativity and creation. And yes, what we encounter, what anyone encounters, what the Universe encounters, is what nature deems fit.
So ethereal!
Shakti
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Thanks as always for your well thought out response, Shakti. I always appreciate your particular take on my writing. βΊοΈπ
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