Sharing our Space

The last two evenvings at Rauhallinen farm have been a reminder that our local ecosystem here, is in fact, shared by many species. Comfort aside for some people, it is what makes life in the Northwoods a blessing for those of us that need wilderness. Two nights ago, about 1:30 A.M., Benny started barking and growling next to me in the bed, head against the window screen facing the driveway and woodshed across the way. When I peeped down two stories, there was a large brindle colored wolf looking back up at us, headed down the driveway. Last night we were out for a dusk-time walk and made it to the top of the hill beyond the drive,  running into two black bear cubs and their mother. The sow looked about 275 lbs. Fortunately, Benny did not see the bears and the sow did not look up to see us. The cubs, however, saw us and started to walk in our direction (perhaps thinking Benny would like to play). We just put it in reverse and went on our walk to the South instead of North on Pump Station Rd. Good to test the circulation and heartrate....