Observations on a Summer afternoon
I have yet to work out the hottest part of the day, for Utah. Sometimes early afternoon, sometimes much later, especially with very late sunsets at this time of the year.
It is definitley summer with predicted days of around the century. Minor relief from encroaching storm cells from the South. Threats of further fires in desert areas because of lightening strikes. It is August; it is hot.
Spare a thought for the wildlife. Spreading of human habitation was supposed to divide animal space to the extent that delicate balances of habitat would be in jeopardy and wildlife would disappear. Competition (progress) was not supposed to work in favor of native animals.
Evidence to the contrary. Animals adapt and some thrive from human contact.
Yesterday, my open house offering was in Cottonwood Heights UT, a canyon rim property with great views of the close mountains of the Wasatch Front. For winter sport enthusiasts, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are minutes away, with the romance names of Alta and Brighton and Snowbird close reality.
In the middle of the afternoon a squirrel and a racoon enjoyed the same back yard sprinkler. Even with my appearance, they were reluctant to depart ~ they owned the scene. Both were in great condition, well fed and suitably moist from the provided water. So the guards on vents and flues have a practical purpose after all ~ to keep interlopers and opportunistic animals more to their own environment.
I became aware of birdlife enjoying the canyon updrafts and their calls that so often go unnoticed. Flying and floating, and being observed from a high vantage point ~ very unusual for me.
While I like to consider myself an active, observant human being, I feel that a lot of my environment might go unnoticed, unappreciated, sometimes missed entirely.
If I see only a small amount at a time, I am truly blessed.
So much more still to see and share later.
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