It is a summer day walking along the winding path of the former golf course that is being re-wilded into a nature preserve. The property sits adjacent to another nature preserve, which also has a wildlife sanctuary, education center, sugar shack, and community garden. It is a separate entity but is also considered a welcomed expansion that receives support in dollars and sweat equity from them.
These safe spaces for non-human living things in the suburbs has the bonus of being enjoyed by humans as well. This is one of our several family walks over seasons. We take turns pulling a canvas-sided wagon that holds our drinks, purses — and daughter/granddaughter/niece when she needs a break from running up and down slopes through the treed and flowered, watered green of it all.
We’re almost back to the path leading to the parking lot when someone says, “Look” in a low voice. The rest of us follow their eyes to a pudgy, brown, furry little lassie airing herself out on a fallen tree trunk protruding out of the green.
Her teddy bear nose and ears stay put, even under our wonder-full scrutiny and this photographer, who hopes reaching for the phone camera doesn’t spook her.
underground distant
cousin to water-sleek otters
a queen rises
Frank is today’s host for dVerse’ Haibun Monday. Frank says:
write a haibun alluding to Groundhog’s Day.
Tao Talk 
I enjoyed the summer walk with you, Lisa, which has cheered me up today. We have a lot of rewilding going on over here, too, and I’m all for it, and wildlife sanctuaries. I love the image of the ‘pudgy, brown, furry little lassie airing herself out on a fallen tree trunk’!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kim, glad you walked with me and that the walk cheered you up. Happy happy about rewilding going on over there. The critters and fauna need their spaces. Thanks much on the image. She is a beauty isn’t she.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So amazing to see… it is so much fun to meet those creatures, I remember when we met our local beaver a morning a few years ago (he is still there, but I haven’t seen him since)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is, Bjorn. To see wild creatures being left alone is the ultimate joy. There were muskrats galore by my grandparents’ place when I was a kid, but I’ve never seen a beaver in the wild.
LikeLike
Love the photo, Li! Thanks for taking me on your walk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to have you along, Nolcha :)
LikeLike
What a wonderful family outing to experience nature up close!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, Lynn!
LikeLike
What a capture! And kudos to the rewilding–it should happen more. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a surprise. Yes, it should.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did enjoy your walk …thanks for taking me along. Nature is a glorious place to walk in as you never know what might appear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the walk, Truedessa. So true about nature paths.
LikeLike
Lovely Lisa. When I first moved here we lived in a new golf course community which was not yet built out or sold out. It also had much land attached to it that was a natural preserve. I would see dozens of groundhogs every day along with white-tailed deer. I was so happy there. ☺️💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
How neat, Christine. Looks like groundhogs enjoy FL weather :) They have some deer wandering around in there also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No we were living in Northern Virginia back then. That’s where I got to see all the groundhogs. We have deer in Florida but I’ve only seen possums here. No groundhogs 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Christine, I tried to comment at your blog and it wouldn’t let me. I enjoyed your haibun. Your affection for them is clear. Oh right on FL, the ground is probably too wet for them to burrow?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I had a lot of problems posting on other people’s sites tonight too, including yours! I got the comment to go through on the third attempt. Isn’t that strange?Anyway as far as Florida soil goes I think it’s just too sandy maybe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely little tale of a ramble…and impeccable photo…to me, a classic haibun..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain, you always make me smile with your comments. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain, since I can’t comment at your website, I just read your haibun and now have tears in my eyes. Such a horrible shadow over Ukraine and its many people and other critters. Excellent composition with a tragic theme.
About your fan fic for Kaari Sippula, I watched at least a few seasons of that show and absolutely love his character. Wish they would make more seasons of it.
LikeLike
I love those groundhogs. It’s pretty much a bigger versoin of Rudy. A Teddy Bear is a perfect way of describing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are peaceful creatures that always seem to be busy. I’ve seen them all over this area but none close to my house. Most have been in suburban areas. I wonder if that’s who teddy bears are named after?? I see a pudgy land otter also ;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
They could be….that is what I told Jennifer…that Rudy looked like a miniture bear… ground hogs really do because they are larger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rudy the Cutie :) Can you imagine having a groundhog sitting on your lap and eating treats?
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol…yes I can!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol
LikeLike
Nice one Lisa
much♡love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Gillena!
LikeLike
A lovely surprise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍🙏🏼😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
A really delightful read. Even better by virtue of a golf course being re-wilded, that made my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to have delighted you. Makes me want to know the origin story. One cool thing is they have some really big mature trees there, including a willow that has stolen my heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is good news.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this intentional walk, taking in what nature offers. I think we are rewarded with these amazing sightings (and photos!) when we show our appreciation of the earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, Mish.
LikeLike
Very nicely done, Lisa. Love seeing the big fat groundhog! Great shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dwight, it feels like the groundhog knew she was safe in the sanctuary. No need to run from us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, I am sure you are right about that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Through the haibun, I was on that walk with you, and completely on edge until you nailed the pic. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the feedback, Kim :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least one of our pronosticators… groundhogs says six more weeks of winter. There at least one in our creek. Tried coming up through holes in my yard… but I didn’t want it destroying the bank. They don’t like repeated blockages. Now my neighbors yard is its new entry to land point.
Our library is taking some of the interior park land and planting more local trees to make a new forrest. They’ve gone as far as to put up signage to let locals know what they are so they can get their own. There are several ponds, farms and even a golf course in the same complex. it is too bad that one edge is being turned into more retail that we don’t need and town houses that not many can afford. But at least there seems to be a safe area in the middle. I don’t think that the golf course will ever be transformed. There are too many local golfers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jules are you talking about a woodchuck in the creek? Maybe it’s a beaver or a muskrat? Whatever it was, sounds like you deterred it :)
Mixed use with room for critters sounds good compared to other options. We have so many golf courses in this region one less is no biggie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hard to tell the difference between a woodcuck and a hedgehog? I thought it was a hedgehog…
‘Woodchuck and groundhog are common names for the same animal, Marmota monax. We have had muskrats too and beavers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An evocative prose that yields a dynamic haiku! A wonderful portrayal of an enchanting encounter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Frank. It was, especially for my 2-year old granddaughter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved your haibun, Lisa! What a wonderful moment to capture!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was. My granddaughter loved it. She’s a naturalist. Hoping she decides on a career that involves saving nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very visual write — I enjoyed it a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
What a neat experience on your walk. Funny, on a golf course, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol yes, are you thinking Caddyshack? This place looks less and less like a golf course every year. There is even a creek that had been buried for years that they have uncovered. And the trees, the trees, that have been left to grow and grow. If you ever visit Michigan, I’ll take you there. There’s a birch tree there you won’t believe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Caddyshack! I would love to come to Michigan someday.🤞🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully said, such a delight to read Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paul, thanks much :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
:) my pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person