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Wildlife colors the local settings

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By Linda Johnson, Contributing Writer 11:01 PM Saturday, August 1, 2009

It has happened so often, I shouldn’t be surprised. Last Monday, I saw two deer on Water Street while driving to my morning walk. (I know, driving to walk does seem oxymoronic.)

Several other mornings, I saw a couple of deer prance across just as I turn the corner onto Water Street heading east. They always look so graceful stretching their legs spotlighted by a rising sun.

This time, I was startled when I saw them because they were not in motion. They seemed as frozen as statues at the edge of the verdant lot and the sidewalk. When I related this to Husband, he asked if they could have been waiting for traffic to clear so they could cross. I didn’t think so since I was the lone car on the street at first.

I watched in my side-view mirror as I passed several cars heading in the opposite direction. All cars safely passed the animals.

Perhaps the deer were lusting the bountiful gardens on the opposite side of the street. Ward Lutz fenced his vegetables as a deer deterrent. The deer appeared to be young. Any parent can explain what happens when children are told, “No.” Forbidden fruit is so much sweeter for humans, why not for deer?

Monday evening, driving to Mutual on Route 29, I observed a red-tailed hawk perched on a utility line. Lacking an eagle eye, I was thrilled to be able to identify it — something I could do only because it was not flying.

It sat regally, facing the road, displaying its white puffed-out chest with its brick-colored tail feathers extending over the wire like a formal tuxedo’s tails.

Four-legged animals will start arriving at the Champaign County Fairgrounds this Thursday. A veterinarian will examine the livestock before being approved for exhibition at the county fair that opens early Friday.

This may mark the time to observe the wildest life on earth.

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