I’m being watched. I’m certain of it.
Pardon me while I check out my surroundings.
Oh — there he is. No problem for me. Wonder if he’s eaten today. I’m surprised he’s sitting on such a slender perch.
Below, in the tall grass at the foot of the bushes, imagine a mouse glancing upward.
Ooops! Poor time to venture out to collect seeds. If I wait here will he move to a different perch? Or sight one of the chipmunks new to the neighborhood. Not that I wish ill on my neighbors — but I could use a distraction if I’m to snatch those seeds and get them to my burrow.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hawk surveys his portion of this county park. Hunting is good near the hiking trail. Humans are a rather noisy creature, chatting to each other as they walk, or mumbling low as if thinking aloud. Some have objects in their ears which leak sound. Fine with me — prompts the smaller creatures to move.
Parks, especially those maintained by the local county, feature in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Business — when trouble arrives. Pleasure — during a charity run. Either way parks make a fine micro-setting in a novel. Check out this story at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF


