April 9, 2005 - Saturday | 2:50 PM, CST

I just finished with a walk in my woods. The next one I take I will go prepared with pith helmet and camera in tow. Upon entering the woods this afternoon, I saw two ducks swimming in the creek. Hoping to see more of them, I walked down a little ways and sat down among some fallen trees next to the stream. After a few minutes, I heard a rustling in a thicket on a hill to the west of me. I looked, and saw a bright scarlet fox walking among the brush. It soon disappeared from view, and I stayed where I was for nearly the next twenty minutes hoping to catch a glimpse of it again.

Soon I was bored, and walked further upstream. I came across a thick sycamore tree leaning precariously across the water. On top was a questionable-looking deer stand with some rotting boards leading upwards. I tried the boards, but they crumbled under my feet. I had to jump to grab some branches growing vertically from the leaning truck, and hoisted myself into the tree. After about ten feet of climbing (mind you this tree is growing at nearly a forty-five degree angle), I came to the deer stand. Not having much faith in its construction and current state of decay, I gave it a nudge. This sent it careening from the tree to the ground fifteen feet below.

I decided to come about another five feet, which would have put me nearly even with the beginning of the stream below. More branches were growing from the tree here, and I made myself a comfortable seat wedged between the elbows of the limbs. I sat there and listened to the birds for awhile, but failed to notice any large wildlife. After about ten minutes, I climbed down and crossed the stream to find the trail back to my house. As I was walking, a huge wild turkey jumped out of the brush about ten yards away and raced through the woods away from me. I stopped and watched, then decided to follow it at as quick a speed as I dared in the underbrush. It soon wheeled around, and flew to the south, which afforded me an excellent picture opportunity had I the forethought to bring my camera.

Next time, I will be prepared.

And now, because Andy has been nagging me, some pictures of his Chinatown apartment:

• Picture 1: The Penguin Shrine. Andy's pseudo-religious attempt at idol worship.
  
• Picture 2: Andy and Aunt Claire standing at the center of their abstract glory.
  
• Picture 3: The Easter tree! A Norfolk Island Pine with carrots hung from the branches.

There you are, Andy. Now that wasn't nearly as many "tomorrows" as it took to get your other picture up, was it?

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