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When a sight makes my eyes bulge, it’s worth a long look.
My friend’s ranch is a great place to relax and let the anxious feelings that build from perpetual responsibilities drain into the soil of Texas. Burdens concerning the lives of people, choices determining the future of our organization, and little foxes nipping at the grapes in the vineyard reach a critical point early each Spring. My calendar reminds to schedule vital down time in the woods.
The cool of the evening promised a good night’s sleep coming in a few hours. Quiet sounds of the country replaced the constant buzz of people, machines, and city noises. Birds chirping, the breeze soothing, and orange sun settling down on the horizon, performed their excellent massaging of my soul.
Near the border of the ranch property, I found a perch that was elevated off of the ground about 8 feet. I climbed the ladder and settled into a comfortable folding chair. Now, I could enjoy the theater performance of the creator’s sunset. It was going to be beautiful.
That’s when the heavy hooves trotted in a growing crescendo behind me. Whatever it was, it was big. Slowly, I turned my head toward the thudding sound.
At a lilting quick trot a Watusi cow came into view around a low growing tree. It emerged from the guise of the boughs uninterested in a puny human. Instead, it had caught the fragrance of corn feed laid out for its evening snack.
She was followed by three other cows of lesser stature. They were huge animals with a powerful gait. The earlier decision to ascend to my perch was a very good decision in hind sight.
But, there was more. These four cows were merely the vanguard. The real beast made his way to the corn feed. He was massive.
My guess is that he would weigh in at 1400 pounds. His body mass clearly made him the dominant bovine. He was the bull.
As impressive as his bulk was, I was lost in the size of his massive horns. They were so large that the word “hoax” did enter my mind. When it strolled down the two track, it kept a cadence to the rhythm of his swaying horns.
I had no words. What a sight. I gazed in wonder at these Ankole-Watusi of unusual size. The Creator makes so things really big.
photos by brucefong photography
Walking up on an unsuspecting magnificent beast in the woods is not new in my experience. This has happened for me in many places and many times. But, the moment is never ordinary.
The Texas morning sun welcomed me to a new day. I was up and washed up before the sunrise. This way I could be walking in the woods and feel the splendor of a new day awakening.
It wasn’t long before the vestiges of the human settlement disappeared behind me. A few more steps and the trees and brush swallowed me up. Now, I was alone in the woods.
Something was running through the grass. There was more than one. I stopped and smiled.
The sounds confirmed that the scurrying was a pair of squirrels. They were doing their Spring thing. Yes, Thumper had it right. These little energetic rodents were “twitterpated”. Up a tree they raced. Dodging limbs and knots they disappeared in a thick clump of leaves.
My walk continued. Maybe I was lulled into carelessness. Frankly, even if I were ready, the explosion of a herd of pigs makes most humans quick to jump.
A 90 pound sow raced out of a brush pile. She was slicing through the grass, mowing everything down in front of her. A passel of cute piglets squealed, snorted, and grunted trying to keep up with momma. It made me laugh on many levels.
As that brood of pork disappeared into the tall grass, I froze. Maybe it was experience, maybe providence, or maybe hope made me do it. But, movement to my right directed me peer through the wall of flora.
It wasn’t the wind moving branches. Instead, several brown mounds in the grass a mere 50 yards away came into focus. The movement that started this visual moment was a massive set of antlers on the King keeping a steady eye on his harem. That gigantic crown swayed gently but powerfully in the shadows cast by the trees.
The wind was in my favor. Plenty of trees gave me good cover. I moved silently to cut our distance in half.
Our creator masterfully designed this great bull, powerful, massive, and courageous. He rolled his head enough to rest his right antler on his back. It gave him a steady rest for his head and powerful neck. He was resting. I had enjoyed him enough. It was my cue to disappear and leave this herd undisturbed.
photo by brucefong photography
The detour from our normal carpool route home was not much trouble at all. It gave us a respite from the stressful torrential traffic escaping downtown Houston and flowing like an endless flood to our home in Katy. My momentary duty was simply to serve my wonderful bride of 40+ years.
A second grade teacher is always on the look out for “stuff” to enhance the learning experience of these little tykes. Colleagues are constantly sharing discoveries that bring vivaciousness into the classroom. Then it’s off to discover where to acquire the props, visuals, and inter-actives for my lifelong educator soul-mate.
We found the store. It was still open. The Texas cool breeze was kicking up. I zipped up. Then, I opened the car door for my wife. He arm slipped around mine. We huddled against the cooler temperatures and trotted into the store.
She as on casual exploration. Like many teachers, she was into browsing not only for her objective but also ready to pounce on any other curiosity along the way. I was content. That night I was just the chauffeur.
Wandering the aisles was just a time-filler. When I fancied a longer look at something, I did. Often I would just stroll the aisles. The SALE sign, however, drew me close. I didn’t make it that far.
A smile arrested my attention. Automatically, I stopped and turned my head. It wasn’t a mistake. I smiled back.
With gentle hands, I lifted that creature up close to my face. It was the most adorable puppy in the world. Carefully, I turned him around and around. Soft, cuddly, and pleasurable.
Of course, the price tag was missing. I carried my new friend to a salesperson. How much? Let’s check. He was no help. I went back to the display counter and found his twin. The price is the price. Sold!
At the register, the fast-moving clerk paused to hold the puppy and express her feelings, “Awww…” Snapping back into reality, she smiled, complemented our choice, and went back to ringing up our total.
The walk back to the car was my chance. “Here, this little guy is for you.” I passed the cutest puppy in the world to my bride. Her look was delight with wonder. “Just-because” I grinned, “Just because.”
That’s what love its.
Our ATV was bouncing like it should. Gary was racing through the fields because he knew every pothole and gully and tree row. Ahead, he spied his tour highlight on the front 40.
The sound of rich green well-watered Texas grass brushed against the chassis of the ATV like waves under a sailboat. “There!” Gary sounded the discovery. “Under the trees,” he added to the alert.
He deftly guided the ATV to a stop as we saw animals scurrying in the shadows of a deep draw, crowded by trees. Once movement stopped, we started again, this time slowly into a gully, negotiating the descent with care. Up the embankment on the opposite side we cautiously crept over the top and came to another stop in the rich pasture.
Ahead, gracefully moving as a herd aware of the presence of humans but certain that the distance was a safe margin, a herd of elegant Blackbucks meandered out of a row of trees. One dominant buck was directing its herd of doe. It was the closest I had ever been to this exotic wildlife animal outside of a zoo enclosure.
Karl and Beth’s Texas ranch served as home to several gorgeous species of wildlife. It was a privilege to feast my eyes on this majestic animal that God created. They are fast, graceful, intelligent, agile and colorful.
In this herd the buck showed off its long, thick and perfectly formed spiral horns. His coat covers his top half in dark brown, almost black. God contrasted that with a white underbelly and chest.
Its face sets him apart with both eyes encircled with white patches. When it stares at you its nose is also ringed with white. Out in the open the colors seem aesthetically balanced.
Yet, take that same animal and let it melt into the woods and it disappears. God created these magnificent animals with both beauty and practicality. The Blackbuck is no exception.
While the male stands out as bigger, decked with powerful horns and marked with distinctive colors, the doe are different. All of them are light brown, slender and ready for flight. They are different but the same as their dominant leader.
Smoothly, they glide through the pasture like they are gently carried along by the Texas breeze. We quietly watch and marvel. Then, they run and disappear as if by a wave of a massive magic wand. God created a masterpiece and He let us watch them.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
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