Today my wife and I went to a nature preserve close to where we live, and got more of a safari than we were expecting. We are trying to find ways of exercise that are fun for both of us, so we can do them together.  The nature preserve offers large main trails for those who want a set path to bike or run or walk, as well as side paths that cut through different areas of the preserve. These paths are less maintained, which makes it more like a nature hike. A creek runs throughout the preserve keeping the area cool and green. We divide the preserve into to threes classifications, noting one side as the forest, one as the prairie, and one as the area in between. This provides for a great many sceneries, which keeps the visits ever changing.

This particular visit we stayed on the main path a bit more since exercise was the main goal. As we came around a bend, my wife noticed an animal under a shaded and well covered area. The extensive cover made it hard to tell what it was, but as we got closer we saw it was a dog. I joked that it was probably a wild dog. She was not satisfied with that assumption and paid particular interest the closer we drew to the position. Since our path headed relatively close to the animals position, our view changed the light on the animal. We now thought it was a fox, but they are usually very timid and hide around humans. Finally, we were ten yards away, and figured out what it was. We were staring at a bobcat. It was not a full grown bobcat, but not a baby either. We stopped and studied the species that we had never seen in the wild, especially so close. The overgrown cat stared at us panting from the heat of the day. It was an exhilarating and provoking experience at the same time. After studying each other for several minutes, we decided to leave the feline to its solitude. I am not sure why, but I walked away with such an admiration and respect for nature. As we walked away, I thanked God for the opportunity to enjoy his creations, from the simplest leaf to the awe inspiring bobcat.