Ravens and the Cougar
#snowmicro Snowshoeing in Mt Rainer
Ravens tipped me off.
Four feet of fresh snowpack, and I was sweating heavily. I had entered Mount Rainier grounds on a forest service road to trek in the backcountry at low altitudes. I had no desire to create or be caught in an avalanche, so I would snowshoe amongst the huge trees, away from the rivers.
I saw a raven flying low over the road, and he followed me as I cut into the trees. Using animal tracks, I followed a route I had traversed in the past. The weight of the snow in the branches was worrisome to a certain degree, but there was little wind.
Snow drifted four feet up the trunks of trees, and my peripheral caught a Douglas Squirrel sneaking into a tunnel in the snow. Watching for a minute, I saw it bound up the trunk and leap to another tree.
Entering a clearing, a dark mound was on the snow, and ravens were cawing from the trees. Something dead, but what? I approached with caution, scanning the area constantly.
The ravens were watching over the remains of an elk. As I got closer, a male cougar leaped up, facing me. Snarling, it stared at me; I froze. Make yourself big. He’s enormous, two hundred pounds.
Snarling, he stared; I held his gaze. He bit another chunk off, eyes on me.
“GO ON NOW!” I shouted, poles overhead, waving. “GET!”
I took a deep breath as he bounded away and disappeared into the trees.
About the Creator
Andrea Corwin
🐘Wildlife 🌳 Environment 🥋3rd°
Pieces I fabricate, without A.I. © 2024 Andrea O. Corwin - All Rights Reserved.
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Comments (16)
Beautiful beings interacting in a supporting way. Loved the gentle way the animals were described and not hurt
Whoa! The wildest animals we get here are monkeys! Dramatic, Andrea.
This was a thrilling read. Well done.
I always wondered what I would do if I came across a big animal on one of my many walks. This was a great piece.
I hope the next line would read I backed slowly away before I turned and headed back the way I came. Great story. I loved the lines Make your self big. He’s enormous, two hundred pounds
Fab! I did one about a snow leopard. What is it about big cats that makes them so great for stories 😁
Thanks for commenting. Freezing is good in many instances. 🫣
That was scary. I often wonder what I'd do if I encountered a wild animal that can harm me. I'd probably just freeze with fear.
Wow, so exciting and scaring, love your story!
Yikes. Great story, definitely scary moment.
Hood story and amazing the gorgeous cougar left the carcass.
Omgggg this was soooo freaking terrifying! Such an intense story! I loved it!
Yikes! Enjoyed this!
Whoa! That would be super scary! I remember seeing videos of people meeting a cougar on the trail.
oooh I found a typo in my subtitle, sorry! Mt Rainier. Apparently I can't fix that with the 'quick edit.'
OMG! What haven’t you done in your life! Face to face with a cougar? Whoa! Great storytelling! You could write a book titled My Wild Alaska. Amazing!