Still Life on Mossy Log

What rolls down stairs alone or in pairs and over your neighbor's dog?
What's great for a snack and fits on your back?
It's Log, Log, Log...
It's Log, Log, it's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's Log, Log, it's better than bad, it's good.
Everyone wants a Log! You're gonna love it, Log!
Come on and get your Log! Everyone needs a Log!

     - Log, a fake commercial from Ren & Stimpy

As noted before, sideways trees and fallen logs make good sets. Not only can they be quite photogenic, but as interesting features of the landscape, they often draw in animals looking for food and shelter. I.e., if they attract your curiosity, you can bet they'll do the same for wildlife.

Up in Mariposa County, on our family's property, is just such a charismatic log. It rests by the seasonal creek, under a dense canopy of canyon live oaks and pondy pines...





I set the cam's post in one of the cracks along the log, and dabbed a touch of scentmark about 10 feet down from it. The rub-happy gray fox found it first, of course.





Brush mice and big-eared woodrats trekked the log too. Perhaps to go for water.





This dainty, dilated bobcat also jumped up to check out the log and camera. Maybe looking for those mice and woodrats. Not sure the white flash excited her much, though - she showed that same "ouch - bright light" cringe that we get when someone surprises us with a flash in the face.









A gray squirrel, an opossum and some wild turkeys rounded out the show.







Log, Log, it's better than bad, it's good.

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References:

• Wikipedia - The Ren & Stimpy Show
• IMDb - The Ren & Stimpy Show
• Youtube - Log
• The Nature of a Man (this blog) - The Lazy Willow
• The Nature of a Man (this blog) - California Bayous
• The Nature of a Man (this blog) - Backwater Bassariscus

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