Wildlife on the Mountain…

10:10 am - 49 degress outside - bright clear sunny sky, another beautiful fall day...




Western Screech Owl

We can still remember the first time we heard the eerie, unknown sounds from unknown animals after we first moved off-grid.  It was something we will never forget.  Lying in bed at night, hearing strange sounds, and wondering what was that.  Knowing that our home is in the forest, on top of a mountain, where there are cougars, bobcats, black bears, coyotes, elk, deer and many, many more wild animals running around. 

 

Ruffed Grouse

After a little while we started to realize what all those strange sounds were.  The footsteps you just heard in the trees and brush were actually chipmunks throwing pinecones down from the fir tress.  That eerie screeching yip was actually a coyote on the other side of the canyon.  That drumming sound that is such a deep sound that you feel it more than hear it was actually a grouse beating the air with his wings.  Even though we are now able to recognize most of the wildlife sound, there is the occasional sound that will stop you dead in your tracks, wondering what was that…



Black Bear

Yes, we have been spooked a few times.  Like coming face to face with a black bear while clearing the build site.  Or standing outside, staring up at the bright star filled night sky as a deer comes running out of the dark and nearly knocks you over.  Even with those rare moments of fear, we still wouldn’t trade what we have for the safety of the suburbs.

If you embrace nature, sometimes you will be granted with the greatest gifts - like watching a mother doe with her two new born fawns or chipmunks, squirrels and Stellar Jays fighting over the birdfeeder or a heard of elk run through the backyard.



Doe with her twin fawns

You must remember that wilderness or wildlife or seclusion, some of the few things that pop into your head when you think off-grid, do not necessarily go hand in hand with living off-grid.  Technically you can live off-grid right in the middle of the city, but where is the adventure in that? 

Stellar Jay