I n the early August breeze a stand of slender yellow birch sways behind a farmstead fence in New Hampshire As the sun sets five skunks a mother and her four offspring emerge from a burrow on a hillside Only recently have the young given up their mother’s milk in favor of grasshoppers and wild strawberries The skunks march through the grass the mother pausing occasionally to sniff the air for any sign of danger Under a thorny bush she finds overripe SKUNKS 7
blackberries scattered on the ground The young skunks gather around their mother to feast on the succulent fruit From its perch on a tree branch high above a great gray owl watches this activity with calm interest waiting Following a trail of berries to a neighboring bush one of the young skunks leaves the protection of its mother The owl takes the opportunity and silently glides earthward talons prepared to strike 8 LIVING WILD
