Do you ever need a break and think yourself, it’s time for a drink?
Wild animals need water to survive as all mammals do. We often concentrate on what they prefer and need to eat and neglect to think about the amount of water they need to drink to survive. Where do they get water to drink? How do they know it’s safe? What do they do in a drought?
A few weeks ago I was fortunate to watch a small herd of elk cross the Bennett Branch of the Sinnamahoning Creek. It was something I waited a long time to see but when it happened it was like time stood still. To witness the magnificent creatures navigating the creek carefully aware of the rocks was a sight I will never forget. It was astounding!
The last elk to enter the water was a nice bull. He was in no hurry and was merely interested in keeping close to his harem of cows. When he was in the middle of the creek he looked around and then began to take a drink. His non-anxious and relaxed manner was surprising to me, but then I realized that he probably did this many times before. Now, on this day, he was just repeating what he did before but I was just seeing it for the first time. It was a nature highlight for me!
