A Little Surprise

There is a section of trail in one of the parks I visit that never seems very special when I'm there. Every time I enter this trail I think to myself that I want to get through there so I can get to something good. I've just never seen much of anything there. Until now.

I went to this park yesterday thinking about the last park I visited. There is a section of that other park that is just full of chipmunks. They're usually out so I can get a few pictures, but last time I was there the chipmunks were more intent on hiding so they were too fast for me. I missed them a little bit.

It was those chipmunks that I was thinking of when I entered this empty section of trail yesterday. But as I got about halfway through this section, I saw a movement off to my right. This was completely new and different!

As I looked closer I saw what was causing the little commotion. It was a lone little chipmunk! I never really believed there were any chipmunks at this park. There was never a hint of them before yesterday. So you might understand that this came as a surprise to me. A very happy one.

The best part was that the little chipmunk held still for several minutes so I could get several pictures. I stood there clicking the camera while this chipmunk did its best impression of a squirrel by holding on to the side of a tree staring back at me. I'm sure it was only waiting for me to go away, but it sure looked like it wanted its picture taken.

The only interruption was when a guy walked by with his dog. The chipmunk didn't seem too bothered by all of this, because it was only interested in the guy with the camera that just would not leave it in peace. Well, I finally did leave it so it could get on with the business of its life.

As I turned away, so did the chipmunk. We both went on our separate ways. As I left I realized that even the most dull and boring looking place might contain a few little pleasant surprises. This little creature was just one of them.