A walk in the woods

[gregg dudley]

My buddy told me that he had been seeing game fairly regularly on a piece of public property not far from the house so I decided to take my new camera and see what I could see.  I was expecting to see some deer and turkeys, but I was hoping I might get a glimpse of a bear since they frequent the property as well.  

Monday after work I parked at the designated parking area and eased down a grass cut road with my new camera in hand.  I had come straight from work and was still in my shirt, pants and dress shoes, sans tie.  I had barely made it 300 yards down the road when I heard sticks breaking in the woods to my right.  I stopped and listened, but didn't hear anything more.  I was just about to start walking again when I heard more sticks breaking.  I said to myself, "That's a bear!"  

I eased off of the grass road and tried to peer through the thick growth near the road.  I could see that it opened up within about ten yards.  I found a game trail and slipped into the woods.  After it thinned out I stopped and looked around slowly.  It took me a second to realize that I was looking at a bear 30 yards away.  He was looking at me too!  I eased the camera up and snapped 5 quick pictures before he departed the premises.

Unfortunately, the camera was on auto focus and there was a lot of junk between us, but I still got a little memento of the encounter.  

[GRAYBEARD]

sweet!!