On Thursday at about 3:00 in the afternoon, I was driving slowly up the mountain road to the cabin. I was only going about 25 miles and hour. I had made a conscious choice to be very careful, in case I saw a deer. A friend of mine in Canada had almost hit one a couple of weeks ago. To my surprise, a large animal leaped across the road in front of me.
At first I thought it was a coyote. It was long, and lean. Its color was solid grey. I looked at it's head, and realized that the ears were rounded. After seeing how long the tail was, I knew that it was a mountain lion. It made a u-turn and stopped and looked at me. Our eyes met. I couldn't believe how close it was.
I wanted to take a photo, but kept driving. Lula was with me, and I didn't want to risk an attack. It was a beautiful animal. He or she was terribly thin. It felt like a very magical and spiritual experience.
Now I will meditate on the mountain lion. They are also known as cougars and pumas. I have always wanted to see one, but not while hiking. I think he was out hunting. We were very fortunate to be safe in the red VW Beetle. Have you ever seen one?
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Wow...that is scary and neat at the same time! Good thing you were driving so carefully! Andrea
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea, I was awestruck. Yes, I agree about driving slowly and carefully. I was going way below the speed limit.
DeleteTony says that we often see red VW beetles... but never a cougar
ReplyDeleteThey are rarely seen here, too, Cherie. He or she was magnificent. I will never forget the encounter.
DeleteOh wow! Please be careful when you are hiking in the area, Stephenie.
ReplyDeleteHi Nil, From what I've read, they have tracked several mountain lions that are napping near our hiking trails. We don't even know they are there. They generally eat deer.
DeleteI am relieved to read you were in your car at the time. What an amazing experience. X
ReplyDeleteThanks Jules. It really was. They are such gorgeous animals.
DeleteThat was an amazing experience and that was not by chance. I wonder what that means for you, what message that mountain lion was bringing to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Mereknits. It was life changing. I have been reading all that i can about mountain lions. I love them.
DeleteLucky you to have seen a mountain lion! I have not seen one, in person, but, they are beautiful animals, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYes, Bless, incredibly beautiful and lean.
DeleteGoodness! What an encounter! Our friend who is living in Oregon these days can't walk the neighbourhood in the evening owing to the bears and a known cougar in the area. I don't think she'd be thrilled to know about daytime sightings!
ReplyDeleteHi Pipistrello, This was on a secluded mountain road. It wasn't near any homes. They are easier to spot and track in the snow.
DeleteWow that is amazong, what an experience! Not easily forgotten. We don't have mountain lions in Norway, but I did see a Gaupe on my way to work, which is rare. Think you call them bobcats or something like it. Pam x
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, I would love to see a bobcat. We have those here, too. Yes, it was amazing.
DeleteWhat an experience! We hear about them being in our canyons. A few weeks ago the ranger shared some footage from the wildlife cameras set up at the farmhouse adobe that showed one wandering along the trail during the night. He/she disappeared into the bush and has not been seen again.
ReplyDeleteHi Anita, They are elusive. The Native Americans used to call them Ghost Cats. They really blend in with the environment, like foxes. I love to imagine what they are doing at night. I think they are incredible animals.
DeleteSuch a special experience for you, Stephanie, to see a mountain lion, awe-inspiring! Meg:)
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how it felt, Meg. Thanks.
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