Some days are like that. Nothing all that inspiring except that it’s been beautiful outside. No expectations when walking out the door, just hopes to make a few casts in flowing water that might result in a few fish. It is only March after all.
Had to hike to the river via the long route due to water high enough to make me uncomfortable walking across the river. The railroad tracks I walk along to get there are the same set of tracks that run below my house, miles away. The same trains carrying the same loads, only by me there is no sand on the tracks. Here, for almost a mile, the space between the tracks is nothing but sand.
Thinking like a kid, give me a stretch of railroad tracks free from watchful eyes and I might consider running up to a slow moving train a yanking on the release lever to see what happens. Not that I ever did such horribly illegal, unethical, destructive things, nope, nope, nope.
I knew the fishing was going to be relatively tough, I could tell by the footprints on the shore and the small group hanging out further down and fishing. But I still somehow managed to land 4 smallies and lose a couple more.
Even on an uninspired day it’s hard not to notice massive snapping turtles bumping your leg or seven deer standing on the edge of a tree stand keeping a watchful eye on you. Hard not to notice the waves of sound the frogs are already making as you walk through their terrain.
My first 35 years were spent living within the Chicago City limits. Once a city boy always a city boy I guess, but I’ll never live in one again. I don’t even like the small ones. But something about having an eye tuned to all things urban has me stopping to admire man made objects, especially those that look like they’re deteriorating.
Railroad tracks also seem to be a killing ground. Something is always prowling here. Coyote, fox, deer, muskrat, ground hogs and any number of predators from above. Some never make it.
At night, early spring, always look down at the hand rail before you put your hand down.
A couple of days later it was back to the creeks. Minnows, shiners, darters and creek chubs are coming upstream in larger schools.
Some land based predators are combing the waters edge, but the water based predators have yet to catch on.
Except for the occasional one, either self released or landed.
And then there was the sky, plenty of blue sky with the random fair weather cloud floating by.
A juvenile bald eagle drifted over me for awhile, nine creek miles up from the Fox River. I think that might be the furthest from the river that I’ve seen one. Of course, no picture, they sit still as well as I do.
Another day, a walk around the neighborhood. Soon one big hill will be blanketed in daffodils.
Some tiny blue flowers I’ve never bothered to identify, fill in the bald spots.
And then, there was still more, never ending, blue sky. With those occasional drifting fair weather clouds.
cofisher49
18 Mar 2012As I read this, I couldn’t help dredging my mind for barely remembered memories of the Fox, the deteriorating city, the lovely trees and flowers and the tiny critters, some that pop out of trash cans and scare the bejesus out of a little boy. Thanks!
Ken G
18 Mar 2012Things have changed so much you probably wouldn’t even recognize the place. And the fishing’s not half bad. Your memories of the Fox sound a lot like mine of Chicago. One of our favorite games was “chase the rat.”
Nature in the Burbs
19 Mar 2012Great shots, but that spider photo give me the heebie-jeebies! Ugh, I’ll have that image in my mind all day.
Ken G
19 Mar 2012That was the early spring small one, they love my deck and get bigger. My wife is arachnophobic. I think if they ever came into the house, she’d burn the place down.
bob
19 Mar 2012my brain needs these writings. really really do. my gas tank needs gas so I can get out there to the fox. or the kank and wander and take some pix – egads do I need that. superb, superb
Ken G
19 Mar 2012That’s the main reason I’ve been going Bob. My head needs it. Fish catching has been secondary. Love seeing things come alive.