The crows were squawking. The sun hit my face. I was actually all twisted up and wrapped up in the quilt because it did get pretty chilly here after 3:30AM.
3:30 AM and roused abruptly from a light but restful sleep by a clear , mournful, moaning in the woods just beyond the far edge of the meadow.
I stopped breathing, senses alert and straining to listen for a call to help. But straining not for long as the hellishly screaming, howling pack of coyotes burst into the clearing. I could not see them. But by their loud yapping and moaning and screaming chorus i could only imagine 3 or more of them circling each other there in some celebratory dance after their nocturnal hunt. Or maybe it meant something different.......i don't know coyote speak ... I hoped my brave little dog friend down the road was snuggly tucked into her bed in the house..And i also imagined the terror those devilish sounds must inspire in those gentle grazing creatures....lying curled in their thickets just behind the dog run .
As they continued on and on making the forest aware of their presence I rushed downstairs to use the bathroom and grab the big flashlight with the million candle light power. l wanted to see them. To count them. I wanted to know how many of these hunters it takes to make such a noisy announcement. As they were still only accelerating in their voice.
I should have taken the screen out of the window. When i turned on the light all i could see was the reflection of the circle of light shining back on my face. A fearsome sight i would imagine. The silence was instantaneous. I don't think they'll be back.
I did lie there for another hour. Quietly listening although i knew they wouldn't be back. As horrible as the sounds were , I wish i had not disturbed them.
I've heard these dogs in the distance, in the past but it did not prepare me for this close encounter. Im excited . This summer has given me a few new wildlife " encounters" i'd otherwise never have had.
talk soon
love you
Mom/Sal
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