As I take in the sights, smells and sounds of fall I realize I am too alert to sounds as my subconscious eases into occasional worrisome thoughts. I walk and listen to the windswept trees and forest along my familiar route and cringe when the sounds become too loud.
Why?
Because Washington State residents are experiencing a high number of cougar sightings in incorporated cities of Washington State, some near our home.
Really.
Cougars and mountain lions are one and the same. Big wild cats stalk the subconscious of my mind as I walk with a determined stance into the wind, ever alert, remembering my childhood cougar nightmares.
Have you ever seen a cougar at the zoo or wildlife park? They are a pretty awesome sight. Like Richard Scarry's childhood book, Where the Wild Things Are, my mind conjures up vivid pictures of wild creatures: cougars. Check out these pictures of cougars,cougars,cougars. I say to myself, what's a little cougar, right?
As my mind stands alert for cougars in my country neighborhood, I'm prepared for them. I have my pepper spray handy as I walk. It may not work if I need it, but it sure mades me feel better!
Sometimes the pictures we have as children and adults are much bigger than the real thing. The cougar, or mountain lion, is not really a threat to humans; attacks on people rarely happen. In the fall they are just moving around to find a home in the population boom of humans settling in their natural territory. We can't expect them to disappear because we are living in their forest.
I remember running into a cougar as a young adult while picking blackberries in the forest near Port Angeles. I was with my sister-in-law. I was 17; she was younger. We sighted it at the same moment; it was probably only 50 feet away. It watched us as we backed away until we were by our car. Did we ever scramble to get inside where we felt safe! I have never forgotten those piercing eyes looking my way.
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