On Wednesday I took at 15+ mile bike ride in Ottawa County on the North Bank, Spoonville, and Idema Explorer Trails. This paved bike path has become my favorite. The weather was just perfect around 3:30pm. 70F, slight breeze, and the trees laid down shade for much of it.
On a long stretch with few homes, I rolled past what at first I thought was a large fish carcass. As this part of the path is along the Grand River (through the forest) I thought some critter had dragged it up here to eat. It lost my attention at that point but told myself to stop on the way back — which I did. I was very surprised to see it was a possum. Not only that but an intact possum that has been allowed to lay across the bike path from the time of its death and until its current state of decomposition. It was so dessicated that no odor emanated from it.
I couldn’t help but notice that the right wrist is mangled. This would suggest maybe the possum was caught in a trap? If so it may suggest a trapper threw it out of his truck as he was driving? Not sure how or why, but this innocent animal was killed and thrown out like garbage onto the path, where it has evidently lain for some time.
Why couldn’t they have thrown him into the woods? Was it a warning to bike riders? So many questions. I wonder if the possum will still be there on my next ride? If he or she is, I will push them into the woods and cover them and say a small prayer as an act of decency.
a small cross trailside
untimely death acknowledged
crocus blooms in spring
Tao Talk 
How could you tell it was a possum? I would have thought this was detritus from a tree. Poor thing.
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I saw only the skull on my way past which looked like a salmon or other large fish skull. On the way back was able to take a closer look. The fur bits, tail, and other bits identified it. Yes, it is the color of the forest and maybe that’s what others see when they ride by…
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It’s amazing what the remains of a dead animal can do, Lisa!
Kudos to you for doing a 15-mile-plus bike ride! Sadly and unbelievably, I’ve yet to grab my bike this year.
Here in lovely central New Jersey, autumn already seems to be in the air. We’ve already had nighttime lows in the ’50s, which is very unusual so early in the year.
On the upside, sweltering heat isn’t a great motivator for bike riding. Now I really have no excuse not to grab my bike! :-)
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Christian, you’ve had a lot on your plate this summer. Yes, the heat is less here now also. Another perfect day today. Gotta mow the grass in a minute here. Thanks on the bike ride. Haven’t taken too many rides but I’m ramping up with the cooler weather. I do think you need to get out there and do a ride :)
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Yes, I can!😀
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It’s a real shame that nobody else bothered to do the right thing
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I know, but I didn’t do the right thing either this time. I will next time if the critter is there.
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Wow! This is a good haibun, Lisa. Such a sad end for the possum.
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Colleen, thanks much, and yes. No animal deserves that kind of death and after-death.
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Exactly. I say prayers for them if I come upon them.
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<3
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p.s. Colleen, thanks for the TT invite. I’m going to be sending you an email at some point with some questions.
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Sounds good, Lisa. I’ll have Mr. Linky instructions for you as well.
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There is no end to human cruelty. At least it’s elements are being reclaimed by the land. (K)
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Yes, a little bit washes away with every rain…
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People who trap and don’t check should get a jail sentence… anyone that would let an animal suffer I have no respect for… I hope someone didn’t do that to it.
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Agreed on all accounts, Max.
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I had Trudie in my lap last night as I was typing that…how anyone could hurt an animal that wasn’t hurting them is beyond me.
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I know what you mean. And possums are some of the most gentle woodlands creatures out there (as long as you’re not a bug, worm, etc.) They are so ugly they are cute, especially the baby ones. They’ve often wintered under the evergreen shrub cover by the carport and pick up what falls from the bird feeders and also snack on compost pile.
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I’ve seen Ben on Urban Rescue Ranch rescue some and they are so ugly that they are cute. He let it go but it kept coming back and would get on his shoulder…later it came back with her own family.
I came home one night with our first Saint pitching something up and down…it was a possum…she didn’t hurt it at all…I eventually got a shovel and put him on it and moved him to safety. He was fine…but scared to death of course.
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