Fearless

Crystal Kear is my West Highland Terrier. She stands about a half a foot, has silky white fur, a Snoopy nose, and big button eyes. She’s fearless. She could stare down a bear, although despite recent sightings in Bucks County, PA, she’s never had the opportunity. She loves to chase after the White-tailed Deer that leap through the forest—so far, no venison for Crystal. But like all of us, Crystal has her nemesis. There is one animal that completely freaks her out—the turtle. She’s just not sure what to make of this camouflaging, rock-like figure. When Crystal sees a turtle on the trail, she walks the other way. I tell her that a box turtle won’t hurt her, but she just stands there and holds up the hike. The snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), now that is another story. They have a flatter shell in which they cannot retract. Tease one of these reptiles and you could be looking at a lost finger. Should you have the misfortune of being bitten, the snapping turtle may latch on. Your best defense, in this case, is to hold him under water until he relents. Fortunately, I’ve never experienced this mishap, as the snapping turtle will generally mind its own business if not provoked. Should you see one on the trail, walk widely around him. Crystal, however, will need to be carried in order to continue.

Another animal we’ve seen lately is the Red-tailed hawk. Its high-pitched scream as it soars over the fields, searching for prey, always calls me to attention, and I have to stop and watch it whirl while the sun lights up its auburn tail. Female hawks are approximately 25% larger than their male counterparts and are monogamous. Males chase their mates in courtship, diving and climbing in circles until she relents and takes his talons in hers, sending them spinning as they lose themselves for a brief moment. There are numerous places to spot the Red-tailed hawk in the greater Philadelphia area, since they are drawn to the agricultural fields spotted with rodents. Some hikes for hawk watchers would include: Honey Hollow, Tyler State Park, The Daniel Boone Homestead, the Stroud Preserve, Ridley Creek State Park, Fort Washington, the Readington River Buffalo Farm, the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, and the White Clay Creek State Forest. Happy hawk watching!

 Sandra