Unexpected Groundhog

[rusty_armour]

I was at Edwards Gardens this afternoon when I had an expected encounter with a groundhog. I had managed to find a rather secluded bench (because I always go to public places to get away from people) and had just pulled out my notebook and pen when -- BOOM! GROUNDHOG! Okay, there wasn't actually a "BOOM" involved. The groundhog was silent and stealthy. One second, I'm all on my lonesome and then, suddenly, there's this groundhog staring up at me. I mean, he was right by my leg and I think he was seriously considering whether it might be worthwhile to climb up on the bench beside me. He looked a lot like this:





I stared down at the little fellow in surprise and trepidation because I was afraid he might really climb up on the bench beside me. Our exchange went something like this:


rusty_armour: Whoa...

groundhog: Hiya!

rusty_armour: You're...whoa...

groundhog: You realize I'm looking for food, right?

rusty_armour:

groundhog: So, do you have any?


As it turned out, I had some broken vegetable thins. I was saving them in case I came across a friendly chipmunk or squirrel. I never expected to be feeding them to a groundhog. I threw a couple of pieces on the ground, wondering if he would even like them. He sniffed one cracker before quickly wolfing it down. Then he looked back up at me expectantly, so I threw some more vegetable thins at him. He ate those too and then seemed torn between taking his leave or asking me for more. As I'm a total sap, I gave him some more. After that, he left. However, that wasn't the last I saw of him.

There are these rocky ledges throughout the bottom level of Edwards Gardens. People often stop to sit on them, but they also provide a kind of animal network. Chipmunks will pop up through cracks or disappear down holes. From my bench, I could see a group of sparrows hanging out on top of a higher set of rocks. It wasn't long before Mr. Groundhog joined them. I watched in amusement and disbelief as he chewed on a crab apple. I could only see his head, but the rest of his body appeared when the apple rolled away and he had to reach out to grab it. Unfortunately, he took off when a group of people walked past, but I saw him one last time in the undergrowth near my bench. He had a huge carrot in his mouth. I have no idea where he got it. It didn't have the leafy green top, and I think it might have been peeled, so maybe someone having a picnic dropped it. In any case, he seemed very satisfied with his prize.

Despite all the distractions, I did manage to get a tiny bit of writing done. However, I have a feeling I might do better with the writing session I have planned for tomorrow morning. The closest thing I have to a groundhog in my apartment is a Vancouver Island Marmot. He's a stuffed animal, so he should be safe.

Comments

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Humans are just another kind of animal so it is appropriate that you should hold a conversation. I do that a lot, and not just with Brimley. It is nice that you were able to commune with nature.

There is nothing so lonely as being in a crowd so going to a public place to be alone makes perfect sense.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Humans are just another kind of animal so it is appropriate that you should hold a conversation.

Excellent point! And animals do have their own languages, so communicating with them makes sense. :-)

I do that a lot, and not just with Brimley.

Oh, I talk to animals all the time too, though it's most often the family cats. However, everyone in my family talks to them, so I've never really questioned it. *g*

It is nice that you were able to commune with nature.

It's always a privilege to have that opportunity. When I talked on the phone to my mom yesterday, she suggested I try sitting on that same bench the next time I visit Edwards Gardens to see if the groundhog returns, but I can't see that happening again. It was so freaky the first time.

There is nothing so lonely as being in a crowd so going to a public place to be alone makes perfect sense.

Too true! It does make sense when you put it like that! Of course, it might also have something to do with me being an anti-social introvert. *g*

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I don't think of you as an anti-social introvert. I think of you as a person who needs quiet and private time to recover from the onslaught of society. Check out the books for the "Highly-Sensitive Person;" they helped me understand that I'm not anti-social, I just need more peace and quiet.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Okay, maybe I'm not anti-social, but I'm definitely an introvert. In any case, thanks for the reading suggestion. :-) I'm glad these books helped you understand that you're not anti-social. There are a lot of us out there who do need more peace and quiet. I find I can only spend so much time with people before I need some alone time to recharge my batteries.

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I little bit of social interaction goes a long way. I need a lot of private quiet time to recover from social activities.