The Lioness

After a frosty morning the sun shined brightly this afternoon. The warmth on my shoulders felt nice as I wandered about the yard looking for my blip. I observed a couple of bees burying themselves in the giant marigold blooms, and watched a white butterfly flit haphazardly here and there and everywhere. It became bothersome after a while trying to keep track of it. I named it “Nervous Nellie” before a second one came along • It is normal to hear acorns falling to the ground this time of year, or a distant branch snapping in the woods from the weight of a squirrel or the hoof of a deer. Rustling leaves are common too as chipmunks scurry to their den with food or one gray squirrel playfully frolics with another. I was focused on a goldfinch in the cherry tree when I heard something moving quickly in the leaves nearby. I dismissed it as I wanted a few bird shots, but the sound kept getting closer. When the bird flew and a nearby squirrel began to chatter, the Lioness emerged from the woods, bounded across a fallen tree, down a rotten log, then galloped across the grass like Lassie to flop at her Mother’s feet • Thank you, Newt!