Surprised by a River Otter

I walked down a wooded path to a shady spot along the lake’s edge where I occasionally observe ducks and different species of birds.  This time, much to my surprise, a river otter surfaced and I was able to watch for a brief time as it hunted and munched on prey that it pulled from the shallow lakebed.

It seemed to be aware of my presence, pausing several times to glance in my direction before resuming its hunt.

There was something special about this quiet little connection with nature. For me, getting outdoors and spending time with the created and the Creator offers a peaceful escape from the chaos and unpredictability of the world around us.

“When the news of the day upsets me, I pause and worship the eternal God who is never surprised or caught unprepared. This keeps me from fretting and getting discouraged, and it helps to keep life in balance. ~Warren Wiersbe

Woodland Mammals

While driving the roads around the wildlife refuge, we are always on the lookout for woodland mammals which venture out into the open to forage and move about. 

“It is remarkable how many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods.” ~Henry David Thoreau