Wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (662 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.44 on 12 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Peckerhead (View user info) at 2006-07-15 01:00:13 EDT
Sorry if this seems late but I really hit the ground running on return from this years summer vacation. Damn job is really interfering with my time off! In any case, most of what follows took place in the Smoky Mountains, near Gatlinburg in the State of Tennessee.
My wife and I left home (Ontario, Canada) and drove south into the U.S. on June 26. Christine had done her usual amazing job of organizing and choosing accommodation for the various rest stops. Our first night was spent in Louisville, Kentucky. North Americans will likely think of baseball bats; namely the Louisville *Slugger* -- which is famous world-wide. I read about the large museum and factory where the bats are made but our timetable did not permit a visit. High on my list of things to do next time we journey south is a trip to this museum. The probability of me purchasing an authentic Slugger bat is really high.
After a nice restful stop at our Bed & Breakfast in Louisville, we were once again on the road. By the end of day two, we had reached our main destination of Gatlinburg. Shortly after checking in, we followed directions to what turned into a home away from home. I don't know that we could have asked for anything nicer than the spacious cabin perched on a high and windy hill opposite the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
I was reading a pop phsychology/self help book (you know the ones) many years ago which offered tips on dealing with anger and stress. One tip for calming down the emotions was to go to your *happy place* -- somewhere you felt good about; somewhere peaceful and relaxing. I thought I had a pretty good happy place but that has been demoted to Happy Place 2 now. What an absolutely amazing and beautiful spot. Our terrace and deck faced a post-card panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains. I remember pinching myself to make sure we hadn't crashed our vehicle... and ended up in Smoky Mountain Heaven. The rest and relaxation had officially begun!
Our first day in the Smokies was spent relaxing and unwinding - literally - from the long but scenic drive to this paradise away from home. By mid afternoon, we started getting clues that we were not alone. One by one, the five cats strolled onto our deck. We found a log book in the cabin telling stories about the cats, Rocky (the racoon) and many different types of birds including chickadees, hummingbirds and one brilliant red cardinal who turned out to be quite naughty.
I think it was early morning on day two when the cardinal introduced himself -- in none to shy a way. The routine was always the same. We were awakened by what sounded like a tapping or thumping on the highest window of the cabin. The cardinal seemed to have a very set morning routine which started with some birdy aerobics:
"four more" (bump -- into the window)
"three more" a slightly harder bump...
"two more" Wham, into the window again...
WHAM! last rep and the cardinal flew shakily to a nearby branch. What's that saying -- No pain, no gain. Well our red feathered friend sure bought into this exercise motto. My wife has taken up photography in no small way. On noticing the same pattern every morning, she got her digital camera as ready as possible and was hell bent on getting a good shot of this peculiar but beautiful bird. On regaining his balance, the cardinal would fly about 20 yards away... wait until half a second before my wife was ready to snap the pic... then ZOOM, he was gone.
In the end, Christine never did get the photo she wanted and the cardinal, now referred to as the "little red bastard" had become a full blown nemesis to her. I couldn't help thinking of episodes of Bugs Bunny, where Wiley Coyote would always come close... only to fall flat on his face in futile attempts to capture the Road Runner. Christine had much better luck with Rocky Racoon, who turned out to be nothing less than photogenic. I know enough to be dangerous with computers so I'll see if I can con the wife into inserting a pic or two at the end of the post.
This next part is based on what may sound like a sad and tragic story that actually made it into the news in the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge area. Bear with me while I try to tell it from the (Mama) bears perspective.
"Come on kids (two bear cubs), they've spotted us again. Bloody humans, you'd think they owned the planet. Holy shit, that's no human. "
"Bark bark bark"
"What the fuck?! Has your owner no sense? Ruff Ruff yourself. Now run along doggy before you get hurt."
"Bark.. Bark"
"Okay okay... your bravery is duly noted but you better run back the way you came or there's going to be trouble. I'll fuck up your shit; I really will." (Mama bear has had enough.)
" Bark, bark, bark, bark."
"Okay dog, I warned you. I tried to be nice but now it's come down to survival of the fittest." After a very short fight, the mutt lay limp and somewhat dead. Mama Bear and her two cubs continue on their walk.
"Oh Christ now what?!!" Mama Bear notices the dogs owner running toward them.
"Look, sorry man. I'm sorry I had to off your pet dog. Maybe next time you'll think a bit and keep your pet under control."
Hero dog owner: "Look what you did. You killed my pet dog. Rover? Rover? Please get up. I can't believe this. Waaaaaaaa. Now I'm mad. I can't believe this. Okay, bear; Now we're going to see who's tough. You murdered my dog so now I'm going to... WHAM!
Well, Mama bear hit the guy so hard that everyone around thought he was dead too.
"Anyone else? Hmm? didn't think so", Mama bear continued. "Hey kids, lets take these two back to the den. They'll make good rugs if nothing else."
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As it turned out, the goofy dog owner was not killed. What possessed the guy to run towards a mother bear with cubs?! I suppose he woke up to the same headlines that we read the next day:
"Foolish dog owner gets Bitch-Slapped off Smoky Mountain by angry Mama bear."
Okay it wasn't those exact words but something similar. Hell, the dog could be excused but what did his owner think would happen? I grew up in a small town just North of Minnesota -- where there were black bears all over the place. The experts can't seem to agree on what a person should do if you meet up with these large wild animals. Some say keep eye contact... others say no eye contact. Some say back away slowly; others say throw rocks and try to hit him/her in the nose.
The two things that were unanimous in our town concerning the black bears were: 1) You leave him alone... and he will likely leave you alone. Somehow, try to put distance between you and the bear. 2) Don't, DON'T under any circumstance get between a mother bear and her cubs. 2 b) Don't go running *toward* a mama bear with cubs -- even if she did kill your pet dog, cat, turtle etc. unless of course you have a Louisville Slugger in your hands.
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The remainder of our stay was quite peaceful; the cats were well fed as were the birds -- including the naughty red cardinal. My wife and I can still picture him and wonder who his next camera toting victim will be. We spent the 4th of July in Washington D.C. which was about half way home for us.
I have vacationed in the U.S. before but only as a very young child. We were a little concerned about rumors of loud, aggressive, boorish Americans. I'm sorry but I have to call bullshit on that one. I cannot recall one American who treated us badly. Hell, I even wore my "Canada" T-shirt on July 1 = Canada Day (a Canadian Statutory Holiday) I close with a word of thanks to the Americans -- especially in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and last but not least, Tennessee. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this vacation and recommend the Smoky Mountains to anyone who has not been to this majestic and scenic area.
User Reviews
Submitted by Ducky (user info) at 2009-10-28 23:03:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This rocked. You haven't posted in...3 years give or take. Just saying.
Submitted by Banga3386 (user info) at 2006-07-19 02:22:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ok I'm sold, next vacation: Smokey Mountains
Banga
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2006-07-18 01:03:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
in reverse order:
Submitted by alwayspeach1 (user info) at 2006-07-17 16:21:14 (#)
Ranking: 2
Great post. Nice writing, great attitude, cute/sad story.
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Thank you. I've been here awhile now and this is possibly the kindest review I've ever had. And you're right; There is a sad/tragic component to the story. The dog was just being a dog... maybe thinking he was protecting his dumb owner. Survival of the fittest is no cliche. Out in the wild, the domain of wild animals, it's the real thing. Thanks again for the nice review :-)
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-07-17 13:01:37 (#)
Ranking: 1
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The females are MOSTLY a grey color. They do have red on the edges of their wings and in their tail. Also a bit around the face.
Predominantly a solitary bird in the summer and spring. In the fall and winter they flock, and can be seen in groups of 30 or more. These birds do not migrate for the winter (at least not in Illinois)
They are seed eaters and generally take them from the ground. Some books will claim they will not eat from elevated bird feeders, but this is not totally true.
Now you know more TTOM.
And the more you know...
Post should have had more photos of the trip.
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Scourge, thank you, I'll take the +1 *and* the constructive criticism. You're absolutely right in saying the post needed more pics -- if only of the animals surrounding the cabin. I tried to e-mail a friend who is good at photoshop and inserting pics but my e-mail went down for a few days.
We had (and have) a great pic of 'Rocky' Racoon and some amazing pics of the breath-taking scenery on the routes we took there and back. e.g. look-out sites on the BlueRidge Parkway. My friend is currently getting back to me and Christine with tips on inserting "more photos", collages etc. There should be more and better pics in upcoming posts.
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Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-07-17 12:48:59 (#)
Ranking: 2
"Foolish dog owner gets Bitch-Slapped off Smoky Mountain by angry Mama bear."
Being an ex forest worker made that line fricking hilarious to me.
I don't understand why this post isn't getting more hits...
Got your emails, I'll try to respond today. It's good to hear you had a great holiday.
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Thanks for the kind rating, Snark. It really was a fun, exciting yet relaxing vacation. Christine made an observation on returning home: "We travelled all that way and not only did we not get into a (car) accident; We didn't see one single accident the whole trip." Pretty amazing when you look at road accident statistics for holiday weekends etc.
We both know that it's very early in the game as far as my writing abilities go. If you were able to get all the way through the story... and if I made you laugh once or twice, then I'm happy. Thanks again for the vote of confidence :-) - will watch for your e-mail.
Submitted by alwayspeach1 (user info) at 2006-07-17 16:21:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great post. Nice writing, great attitude, cute/sad story.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-07-17 13:01:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2006-07-15 18:52:28 (#)
Ranking: 2
go nature, wooooooooooo!
Common cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), only the males are red, the females are are a sort of dull olive colour.
They eat seeds.
Thats all I know about them...
---
The females are MOSTLY a grey color. They do have red on the edges of their wings and in their tail. Also a bit around the face.
Predominantly a solitary bird in the summer and spring. In the fall and winter they flock, and can be seen in groups of 30 or more. These birds do not migrate for the winter (at least not in Illinois)
They are seed eaters and generally take them from the ground. Some books will claim they will not eat from elevated bird feeders, but this is not totally true.
Now you know more TTOM.
And the more you know...
Post should have had more photos of the trip.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-07-17 12:48:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Foolish dog owner gets Bitch-Slapped off Smoky Mountain by angry Mama bear."
Being an ex forest worker made that line fricking hilarious to me.
I don't understand why this post isn't getting more hits...
Got your emails, I'll try to respond today. It's good to hear you had a great holiday.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2006-07-15 20:55:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
see, sometimes being a good for nothing smart ass is good for...something.
or not, who cares.
Its 2am here, Im tired and yet I cant seem to log off...
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2006-07-15 20:44:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Taste_of_Monkeys: Thanks. My wife just explained all the color variations of cardinals and concurs with you re the male being bright red. The pic in this post is deceptive in that the "little bastard" was probably 25 yards away; We enlarged 3X on the computer before inserting. I bet if you zoom in even closer, he's got a sly and devilish grin on ;)
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2006-07-15 18:52:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
go nature, wooooooooooo!
Common cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), only the males are red, the females are are a sort of dull olive colour.
They eat seeds.
Thats all I know about them...
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2006-07-15 03:17:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"slobodancomm: I HAVE A HOW YOU SAY 'POP QUIZ' FOR YOU"
hahahahahahaha
Submitted by Electro (user info) at 2006-07-15 01:23:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow, nice AIM chat script Method. Shall I actually hop online and say that to you so your script can be somewhat truthful?
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-07-15 01:19:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2005-01-08 21:59:26 (#)
Ranking: 0
slobodancomm: YOU WILL BE BITCH SLAPPED WITH MY REVOLVER
electro1178: I actually haven't slapped anyone...
slobodancomm: I KNOW WHEN I AM CORRECT, AND YOU WILL BE PUNISHED
slobodancomm: OH, SO YOU ARE LIAR AS WELL AS HATE CRIMINAL
electro1178: I am not racist...
electro1178: and I am not a criminal...
slobodancomm: YOU ARE BOTH
electro1178: as I haven't broken any laws or shit
slobodancomm: YOU HAVE BROKEN HATE CRIME LAWS
slobodancomm: YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LAW
slobodancomm: BECAUSE YOU ARE RETARDED
electro1178: You are shouting... therefore, I sense you are nervous or something...
slobodancomm: AND YOU DO REMEDIAL MATH
slobodancomm: I HAVE A HOW YOU SAY 'POP QUIZ' FOR YOU
slobodancomm: WHAT IS 6 + 2
slobodancomm: DO NOT START THE WINDOWS CALCULATOR