.
To do this, we need to be in the Russian North, in the Arkhangelsk region. This forest, or rather, the park, is located in the city of Mirny (Peace).
The first time I was in it was 8 years ago. This was my first encounter with a squirrel in the wild, which was not afraid of people, but fearlessly took the food that people put on the stump for her. She built a nest on a tall fir tree. I was surprised that it was an ordinary nest, such as crows or rooks build, and not a hollow in a tree.
Over the years, the park has been equipped with good walking paths, and various animal figures have appeared on the stumps. This place is loved by children. My granddaughter knows the exact time when the squirrels come down from their nests to the ground and start waiting for people with food.
This year, I saw a stand with instructions on how to properly feed birds and squirrels. It tells you what you can feed and what is strictly forbidden to give as food.
"You can not feed fried, salted seeds, millet, and fresh bread."
Why don't people understand that you can't feed birds with bread? Adults don't understand such a simple truth. When I tell them that they kill birds and ducks with bread, they look at me and do not understand the meaning of my words. I see a complete lack of understanding in the eyes of these people.
I believe that such banners should be placed in all parks where people try to feed birds and animals.
I like to walk in the morning when people don't bother me with my camera and don't get into the frame. In summer, during the day, there are many children and their young mothers in this place when the weather is good. Children run after little squirrels that jump from tree to tree and run on the ground.
These are the main inhabitants of this forest, or rather, the park. Or is it better to call it a forest? Tall old fir trees.
The city was built in the 50s of the last century among the dense taiga. 100 years ago, the owner of this park was a brown bear and a gray wolf. By the way, wolves still visit the outskirts of this city, and they were seen at the gas station on the day of my arrival.
The time is approximately 7 a.m. The squirrels staged a catch-up. One squirrel found a nut someone had brought from the children, which was lying on the ground.
Well, all good things come to an end. I took a walk in the woods, looked at the squirrels, and went home. My son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter should be awake by now. We'll have breakfast and go to the forest to pick mushrooms.
But all this happened in the last days of August, and it's already early December.
Friends, goodbye! Until the next walk.
Well. I wish all my friends, observers, and readers wonderful walks on Wednesdays. And also on Sundays and any other day!
Don’t Worry, Be Happy (C) Bobby McFerrin
Text & Photography by
With love
Good luck and have fun
