5.23.05
hot
1 hour
2.3 miles
n/a
cottontail, gray fox, pileated woodpeckers

This hike took me on the back trail by Hailey Elementary, wound through the old section behind the WAC, then off down the long path that runs beside the golf course and turns to the overpass bridge going to Grogan's Point, then back.

While there was nothing unusual to the walk (other than it was bloody hot), I had three exemplary wildlife sightings that I'll probably not equal for a long time.

First, while walking on the long path by the golf course, and heading west into the setting sun, I spotted what I at first thought was a runty dog ahead about 40 yards. I stopped and watched, then recognizing the tail and ears, realized I was looking at a red fox! He (or she) hesitated, then darted into the cover between the golf course and path. While foxes aren't rare around The Woodlands, they are seldom seen. In my 15 years living here, this was only the third one I've seen.

About 20 minutes later, along a heavily wooded section of the path as it approaches the Grogan's Point overpass, I nearly walked by a large cottontail munching grass not 10 feet off the path. I stopped, he stopped, we both stared, then we each went on with our business.

But the best was about to happen. A little further along the same path, two large birds rustled and took flight about eight feet off the path from a large pine. I had just a few seconds to recognize the distinctive birds: pileateds! And not one, but TWO woodpeckers...likely a mating pair. I nearly stopped breathing in my excitement, but had enough presence of mind to freeze and try to see where they landed. I was able to quietly walk about 20 feet more on the path and stood as still as I could, watching them bob around the trunk of a large pine for about 10 seconds, then I watched for another four or five seconds as they flew off perpendicularly away from me down an open draw. Wow. I've seen these majestic birds a few times for a few, precious seconds, but never a pair and NEVER for this long or close. I wish I had the camera ready to fire!