Living with Nature's Animals

This morning, my wife and I were enjoying some coffee on the front porch. This has been a missed event with the heat and rain from the summer. While drinking, I watched as a hummingbird hovered nearby. Too fast for me though as I could not get my phone out fast enough for a nice photo. Shortly after, however, I spotted a black bear strolling through our neighbors' yards. This time, I had my camera ready.

Living in the Shenandoah Valley brings you close to many of natures wonders. Deer are everywhere, but bears are not seen that often. This doesn't mean they aren't around. In fact, we have special ties we can get for our trash cans to keep the bears out. This is the cost of encroaching into nature's habitat.

Sadly we see more and more of this. Front Royal has plans to tear down a small portion of forest a mile from where we live to build 850 new homes along with a hospital. I think it's time for me to start taking more photos of the area. It will be interesting to show before/after photos of the area.

What are your thoughts concerning encroachment where you live? Do you have any interesting stories or experiences you can share? I hope you have enjoyed mine.