Unseen among the tall grasses, the stealthy hunter waits. He has selected his prize for the morning, a succulent stray that has not yet caught up with the rest of the herd. His quarry is almost motionless, a survival tactic honed through the eons, but the hunter is patient and wise, attuned to every flutter of movement. At last the stray makes its fatal mistake. It dashes to rejoin the herd and the hunter, with a practiced leap and one snap of its deadly jaws, claims his trophy.
Nature, red– er, green in tooth and claw.
Someone has to cull of the herd of er… trees to ensure their evolutionary fitness.
Love the build-up, reminds me of an episode of Wild Kingdom. And such a mighty hunter, you just know s/he’s going to be strutting around for a while.
I totally heard this in Marlin Perkin’s voice!!
or Sir David!
Or Snoopy’s.
For once I was ahead of Mike, perhaps because my little puppy charge enjoys hunting leaves so much herself.
That leaf had it coming!
And where was the mighty hunter when I needed help hunting the herd of leaves in my yard? Of course, picking them off one at a time would have meant we’d finish…never. ?
I find-ed a leaf for you!
Something about the way kitties hold things in their mouths just completely melts me. This little hunter did his/her job proudly!
The proud upright stance, the fully-dilated pupil, the long ears and whiskers still scanning the surroundings like an air-to-ground radar looking for mobile missile launchers, and that post-chase slightly let down, wistful expression… We salute you, mighty hunter!
Oh sweetheart,
it was a LEAF. Bless his heart.
What a mighty hunter he is! Thank you for your trophy! I feel so much safer now that I am protected from the predator …. ummm …. leaf.
And for your valor we award you the Hero of Socialist Labour Medal with (of course) Maple and Oak Leaf Clusters.
Good job, kitty!
I love teenage kitties.