STAKING CLAIMS

I live in the country so finding a space to walk is not a big deal for me. I teach piano from my home in the afternoons so finding time is not a big deal for me. The spring time wind up on the hill can be kind of a big deal but not this morning. Picture perfect although a little bit chilly so I dug through the bag of winter clothing I had placed on the attic stairs and retrieved some under amour and a skull cap to wear under my sweats. Sunglasses, visor, lip balm and a Gold's gym weight vest with 8 pounds tucked into the pockets, my black lab, Murphy and I set out on our usual trek with a little more determination than usual. Her mission was to find out what animals have taken up residence in the culverts along our country roads and mine was to firm anything that jiggles.
We walk down a road that rarely sees traffic. A hundred years ago it was simply a dirt road to give easy access to a farmers field but after time it was paved and remains so today. During the summer it is well hidden by corn fields, currently the corn is just beginning to poke it's stalks through newly turned dirt so we have a clear view of miles and miles.
The first culvert gives us no hint as to this years inhabitants but as Murphy burrows into the second one a friendly warning scent wafts through the air confirming a family of skunks has laid claim to this one. The expected clamor from the black birds who lay yearly nests in the only tree left standing on the road goes on overhead as they remind us that we have invaded their space and then...a surprise.
Up ahead, maybe a half mile or so, a really big coyote runs through the field, across the lane and into the next field. I am certain it is the same one who lived in these fields last year. He is much bigger than the others and he is always alone which is rare for coyotes. It is also rare for them to be out during the day...but there he is. He shows no interest in us now. I assume he is probably feasting on spring time bunnies and ground squirrels but later in the season he will show himself to us in the hopes that Murphy will unwittingly follow him into the field.
It is unnerving and miraculous and beautiful and kindred. The posse of black birds who have been sent to follow me join in my vocal welcome and warning. Murphy works furiously to leave as much pee in as many places as possible, weaving back and forth through the fields.
I am truly happy to see him. I am relieved to know that he made it through a particularly cruel winter finding enough to eat and avoiding the farmers shot guns. He'll stay away from us for now and wait until the corn affords the element of surprise he enjoys so it will be awhile before I actually look into his eyes.

"Let's go Murph!". "See you soon Mr. Coyote! I won't bother your nests Mrs. Blackbird. And please, skunk family, not under my front porch this year...seriously...that was a baaaad thing!"