Any of you noticed anything unusual about the wildlife around here? And I don't mean whatever the ECPD is staked out for at Dollar General.
No, while Letcher county's castoffs are tracking the wild two-footed store stalker, several of our local four legged friends are exhibiting somewhat unusual behaviors.
I know a lot of Do Littles, but I don't know that many actual animal communicators. I once knew a woman who talked to horses, but none of them responded in English.
Neigh, neigh, neigh...not a single word.
The reason I ask is I've witnessed some unusual animal behavior recently that left me wondering what's up with our furry friends.
You've all probably heard the stories that may or may not be true of wildlife returning to places they've long since abandoned during these pandemic days of sheltering in place.
Turns out a lot of these tales aren't true. But they beat a lot of the things folks like to pretend are true like anything that falls out of Donald's mouth and Bigfoot.
At least there's evidence for Bigfoot.
The first instance has been occuring right outside the Elkhorn City limits on HWY 80. There's a straight stretch just before you hit the Pool Point curve that is a notorious deer crossing.
That spot has collected tales of woe from dead deer to totalled trucks and everything in between.
But I've seen something hard to explain there. Recently, I was driving toward the Breaks and noticed a buck standing in the middle of the road. On the mountain side, 2-3 smaller deer stood watching. The buck was looking the other way, then turned to look at me. He calmly mosied back to the side of the road with his friends.
I blew by and didn't think anything of it. Until I was on my way back to town. When I rounded Pool Point curve, there was a deer standing in the middle of the road. On the side were two or three waiting.That's when it hit me. Not the deer. They were watching for traffic.
But that's nothing.
Just last week, rolling down Elkhorn Creek, I rounded a curve near Jackson's Branch. In front of me was a decent sized bear running across the road toward a set of trash cans. It was pick-up day and the cans were full.
I slowed and reached for my cell to try to get a picture before he got over the hill. I knew chances were slim, but worth the try. The suprise came when I looked up.
The bear was standing on his hind legs by a tree. He was trying to hide. I sat there, looking and snapping. Afraid someone would come around the curve and not be able to stop, I creeped slowly down the road.
The bear didn't move. Stock still, on his hind legs, he stood behind the tree. I slowly proceeded on down the road watching in a mirror. He never moved and may still be standing there for all I know. And yes, I have pictures.
So if you're the one teaching deer to look out for traffic, thanks. If you're teaching bears to stand behind trees, don't.