One day last summer when driving toward Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, a full-grown black bear bounded across the road in front of our car. Fortunately I was driving at a rather slow speed. That bear didn’t have cars on his or her mind and seemed bent on whatever it was that caused it to run across the road. Hearts quickened as we realized how very close we came to hitting one of these extraordinary creatures. I marveled at how rapidly it disappeared into the lush greenery of the forest. What a treat! Only my husband and I were there to enjoy the moment. Then a car from the other direction rounded the bend, with occupants totally oblivious to the fact that they had just missed a good view of a bear.
On that same day, upon our return from Giant Forest there were three beautiful full-grown mule deer on a bluff overlooking the highway. Used to cars, I guess, they eyed us, and then continued to browse.
That’s how it is. The way people get to enjoy wildlife is by being in a good spot to get a glimpse. And that’s the great wonder of our National Parks. Big enough to preserve habitat, big enough to take long hikes in the back country and not trip over a hundred other folks. On some days, even those of us driving in a car get a glimpse. We are darned lucky.
On that same day, upon our return from Giant Forest there were three beautiful full-grown mule deer on a bluff overlooking the highway. Used to cars, I guess, they eyed us, and then continued to browse.
That’s how it is. The way people get to enjoy wildlife is by being in a good spot to get a glimpse. And that’s the great wonder of our National Parks. Big enough to preserve habitat, big enough to take long hikes in the back country and not trip over a hundred other folks. On some days, even those of us driving in a car get a glimpse. We are darned lucky.