Gerry
03-19-2008, 06:02 PM
I went for a trek in the jungle to see what wildlife and surprises lay in store for me since my last expedition there several months ago. Kitted out in suitable clothing and footwear and armed with a sharp blade I quietly entered this wild place prepared for whatever came my way, I hoped.
I stayed on the narrow path as I passed under the creeping thin branches that twisted and turned grabbing hold of whatever they came in contact with. The tiny claw like spurs hooked and refused to let go of anything they found. I managed to escape their clutches as I descended deeper into the jungle. Thankfully only the first buds of spring had started to open on the branches of the bigger trees so plenty of watery sunlight was penetrating onto the jungle floor. It was littered with the decaying remains of last years growth that had been trimmed back before the winter rain had made this a no go area.
The thicket of Hazel trees had their dangling flowers swinging in the gentle breeze hoping that come Autumn they would produce sweet nuts for us to enjoy. The line of Holly trees still had not delivered any of the bright red berries they were famed for. The wild rose bushes filled every other gap in the jungle and their razor sharp thorns ripped and shredded at my arms as I pressed through them to see if everything was growing where I had planted them those years ago.
Right in the most remote protected spot in the jungle I found what I suspected I'd find. The large feral dappled grey cat that has been crawling along the small boundary wall keeping the jungle back from my lawn had made turned around and around to soften the long grass making a perfect nest for her new litter of tiny kittens. I slowly backed away for fear of having the hissing mother give me a taste of her sharp claws.
I'd leave the jungle to it's residents.
By Gerry Temple
Copyright March 2008
I stayed on the narrow path as I passed under the creeping thin branches that twisted and turned grabbing hold of whatever they came in contact with. The tiny claw like spurs hooked and refused to let go of anything they found. I managed to escape their clutches as I descended deeper into the jungle. Thankfully only the first buds of spring had started to open on the branches of the bigger trees so plenty of watery sunlight was penetrating onto the jungle floor. It was littered with the decaying remains of last years growth that had been trimmed back before the winter rain had made this a no go area.
The thicket of Hazel trees had their dangling flowers swinging in the gentle breeze hoping that come Autumn they would produce sweet nuts for us to enjoy. The line of Holly trees still had not delivered any of the bright red berries they were famed for. The wild rose bushes filled every other gap in the jungle and their razor sharp thorns ripped and shredded at my arms as I pressed through them to see if everything was growing where I had planted them those years ago.
Right in the most remote protected spot in the jungle I found what I suspected I'd find. The large feral dappled grey cat that has been crawling along the small boundary wall keeping the jungle back from my lawn had made turned around and around to soften the long grass making a perfect nest for her new litter of tiny kittens. I slowly backed away for fear of having the hissing mother give me a taste of her sharp claws.
I'd leave the jungle to it's residents.
By Gerry Temple
Copyright March 2008