If you have gone to Moose Tracks up the road, you know already that a rich and varied wildlife frequents Valley Creek Road. What you may not have realized is that this is the road I drive on to get to work. This morning I had my usual close encounter with deer (doe and fawn) and spotted a Swainson's hawk as the sun came up. In the past I have played "chicken" with a coyote (farther north) many times and "bumper car" with the biggest bull elk I ever want to get up close and personal with. My neighbors have me topped, though; this fall--and close to these coordinates-- they spotted a confused young black bear, and closer to the junction, a cougar making its rounds (I have only heard, not seen, a cougar on up the road--but it inspired my border collie to hug my side and demand protection).
This particular spot is a runway of a bobcat, who takes his time crossing the road. I don't know whether to compare him to a coiled spring or a school yard bully as he struts. Luckily, perhaps, I have only seen him three times in the past two years, here and up the road at awesomeness.com. So . . . a good place to set a commemorative cache . . . and to keep an eye opened :-).