What I Found on the Trail Today (And What I Carried Out)
When I go out on the trails, I always keep my eyes open for interesting things, and sometimes those things seem to come in groups.
Today I happened upon two different dead rodents, which was notable because I don't always find dead things at all, and to discover two of a kind in one walk seemed almost comic. Both were right alongside the trail, not even tucked into the grass. First was a tiny field mouse, exactly the kind you might imagine as the hero of a children's book. It was a little sad, and even Ginty had the decency to just sniff it and move respectfully along. Later, on one of the single tracks, we found a California Vole, like the field mouse's slightly larger cousin with a slightly shorter tail. Apparently, it was not a good morning for local rodents.
Field mouse on the left, California Vole on the right, sadness all around.
Between the two rodent sightings, I came upon a couple of very brave Western Fence Lizards, both sunning themselves with full confidence. We also caught glimpses of several others darting into the brush, as is quite common, but the ones with bravado deserve some recognition. The first was quite large, darkened beautifully from the warmth of the sun, and appeared to believe he was wearing an invisibility cloak. He let me get remarkably close for a photograph and even a short video. Later, on the single track, his smaller compatriot was paler at first, then darkened as I got my shot. He finally moved when I started to step over him, relatively unhurried, unbothered.
Brave Western Fence Lizards, also known as “Blue Bellies” for their lovely undersides.
I should note here that Miss Ginty does have a very strong prey drive, and she is also learning to let things be when I ask her to on our walks. She politely complied with both lizards. Squirrels in our backyard are afforded no such courtesies, however.
I also came across several Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars along the way, helping a couple across the trail, finding a couple dried on the path, and spotting several more happily decimating their host plants. Some are getting so large now that I'll be watching for chrysalises soon. I also managed a photograph of a Pacific Velvet Ant, which is no small feat, they move so fast it can be a real challenge to catch them.
And then I found the thing that shifted the whole walk.
A deflated mylar balloon, string still attached, draped across wild radishes along the single track. There was no way I could walk past it. I picked it up and then checked my pack pocket for a spare grocery bag — I had one — and from that point on my mission changed. What had been a nature walk became a trash collection. Sometimes I can look past the litter along the trail. Sometimes, like today, I can't.
It breaks my heart that there is so much garbage in the green spaces we should be caring for. Some of it comes from fellow trail users, certainly, but a great deal gets carried down the creek and spread across the land when the water rises with the rains. Our local creek is habitat for salmon and other fish, river otters, beavers, herons, ducks, geese, and so many other species, not to mention the children who come to play along its banks. All of them deserve better than what we leave behind.
If you find yourself out in nature with a picnic, please just pack it out. You carried it in, you can carry it back to the trailhead trash can, or home to dispose of it properly. And if you're so inclined, tuck a spare bag in your pack. Your local wildlife and your fellow trail walkers would be grateful. So would I.
Sadly, it’s way too easy to fill a bag like this on any given walk along the creek.
