I didn’t really discover my passion for the wilderness until I moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for school. My friends had introduced me to the remote and rugged UP wilderness and soon I began venturing out on my own. On one of my first solo hikes to a remote river I had an experience that would solidified my fascination with the wilderness.
I was hiking along the river bank when I noticed four big birds on the opposite bank. As I got closer I realized they were three huge ravens and a bald eagle! Excited but trying to be quiet, I reached to pull out my camera. To my disappointment the birds were startled and began to fly off. I thought I blew my cover. Then I saw what really scared the birds off. A coyote walked out onto the bank to retrieve whatever dead animal the birds were feasting on. It was the first coyote I had ever seen in the wild. He picked up the animal and stared at me with piercing eyes. I was able to snap one picture off before he turned around and trotted into the brush.
For a kid who’s never witnessed such a wild scene or been in contact with such a wild animal, it had a profound effect on me. Looking back, that was the experience that confirmed this new nature oriented path that I’m still following.
