Living in a community that has preserved some wildlife habitat has rewards. One may enjoy the environment and ecology by witnessing animal life at close hand. Today, I observed a possum crossing the road as I was driving out. It was clearly a female that was ready to give birth soon. It was raining and early daylight when she waddled along toward the Sycamore Creek. She chose the same path on which I have observed deer. I wondered if animals share the same thorofare like humans share the road?
In fact, recalling history around Arlington, Virginia, George Washington surveyed the area and charted trails that followed the ridgeline and often led downhill to a stream or the river. Navigation was by horse, ox-pulled wagon, and canoe or boat. Washington often followed both Native American and animal paths (which were coincident) and followed a logical course along a path of least resistance while skirting obstacles.
Pioneers did the same thing.
Eventually, people overwhelmed the animal trails, forcing wildlife to make a different path. Still, to this day, animals often parallel or choose the same course, and thus we have roadkill.
A couple of years ago, a young bear allegedly swam across the Ohio River from Kentucky and ventured into our settled neighborhood in Montgomery, Ohio. The environment was inviting as one woodland led to another, and the Little Miami watershed is a friendly host.
I look out my window onto the wooded creek, and would never be surprised at what might go by there.
Well, one never knows.
