As I recover strength after chemotherapy and in preparation for surgery, I need to exercise a little. My medical team has recommended that I walk at least ten minutes a day, something that is laughably short when one is in good health but tiring for me right now.
This afternoon we went to walk along San Andreas Lake near our home. I walked a total of about twenty minutes (slowly) then spent some time sitting under a tree, admiring the view while Edmund was taking more of a “real” walk. Butterflies and dragonflies were flitting among wildflowers, and I saw a good deal of wildlife.
The deer seem to have a neighbourhood association rule: only one doe and her fawns at a time. The first doe I saw was standing guard while her two fawns played; suddenly I saw her raise her head and alertly look around, then I heard her call a challenge a few times. Then she leaped around and bounded to collect her fawns and flee.
A moment later, another doe with a single fawn emerged from the opposite direction and came to claim what appeared to be a choice spot. Then they too eventually left when yet another family showed up.
Overhead I saw a red-tail hawk lazily gliding in circles on the thermals, looking for prey. Later on Edmund pointed out a couple of bald eagles fishing and performing aerobatics near the lake surface, soon followed by the unavoidable turkey vultures hoping to get a free meal.
I was tired when I came back and had an hour’s nap.
The Reef 