The Buffet

As the late fall/early winter hunts end, after the harvesting is done,

there is usually something for the scrap pile,

bones, bits of meat, leftovers.

My hunt then begins as I set up a trail camera

over the buffet that the wildlife of the swamp and air,

soon devour.

We have been watching a kitty, a big kitty called

BOB, Bob the Bobcat.

He's been here day and night and

I suppose will not leave until every last morsel is gone.

I'd rather see him dig and chew the scraps of a selective wildlife hunt than to run down the few deer we have left in the county.

That icy cold full moon, the Wolf Moon was

working hard last night, filling the landscape with shadows,

wolves howling.

There's Bob again, early in the day,

not even moving when I opened the door to take his picture.

It gives me goosebumps, to think the Grandloves have been sliding down the hill just in front of that birdhouse. I know, I know, that cat is a scar-dy-cat around people. He takes off, the second I take one step out that door.

We've had other visitors to the buffet,

like Mr. Crow,

a few pesky Starlings,

the wolf has been through, but no picture at the scraps, just his tracks again.

Last winter we had others fly in.

My favorite to watch throughout the day was our

majestic Bald Eagle.

(apologies to you who have seen these photos of last year.)

If you are squeamish of reality, you may wish to close your eyes for the next couple of photos.

The respect for hierarchy is apparent as the Crow waits for his turn after the great Bald Eagle.

The survival of the fittest is evident in these last three images.

The Bald Eagle is first to feast.

The coyote that would sneak a snack in the middle of the night just disappeared from the page, much like they do in real life.

The crows fight for the best snippet of meat off the few pieces left on the rib and neck bones. Such is as it goes for the strongest of the flock.

But the Bald Eagle and her young return for one last meal.

All is right with the balancing of nature.

One feeds another.

We feast off the deer,

as do the

varmints of the woods, the bobcat, the wolf, the coyote,

the Bald Eagles, the Crows, Starlings and other small birds,

even the mice, moles, shrews and insects, all get their share.

So, get in line.

Thus it goes at Mother Natures buffet.

God sure has great plans to feed his flock.,

One way or another.

BlessYourHeart