Walking through the town woods after dinner, listening to what must be one of the loveliest sounds on the planet — the wood thrush — my younger daughter says quietly, “Cub.”
Just ahead, where we were about step into a hayfield, a small black bear wandered, sniffing. We stood for a moment, admiring, then slowly backed away and headed back through the woods.
Walking, we remarked on the proliferation of wildlife we’ve seen this spring — the cub, bald eagles, a den of enchanting fox cubs just behind our house. While the human world is fragmented, the animal world seems to be filling in those cracks, closer and closer.
In Vermont’s May, every day the world appear more and more alive — the leaves unfurled more, and the dandelions higher. Sure, invasive dandelions have their place — or the curse — in the world, but a field of dandelions? Joy — thank goodness for spring.
Dear common flower, that grow’st beside the way,
Fringing the dusty road with harmless gold,
First pledge of blithesome May…
Stony Soil Vermont 
I don’t remember a year with more bumblebees than this year! They covered my lilacs yesterday, almost vibrating.
So true! Our lilacs are just opening today — the very sweetest time of the year.
Such fun! I used to see similar wildlife when living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Enjoy the season!
In the UP? I imagine you did!
Awesome. In the suburbs animals just get used to people and carry on…. Deer have been walking up to our porch for years… But the birds! The songbirds have been intense this year. Maybe it’s just my relief at spring but their songs have been so nice.
I think the songbirds have been especially fantastic this year, too. But what do I have to gauge that by? Interesting that you’re finding that, too.
Was it Boo Boo Bear?
Possibly…. 🙂
I love a field of dandelions.