I was on a nature observation outing from Thursday to Saturday and saw a slew of black bear, Virginia white-tailed deer (including a "grampa" close to three hundred pounds), moose, coyotes, partridge, hawks, owls, eagles, etcetera, BUT, at about twenty minutes before sunrise one morning, I saw a marten that I thought was a cross fox until it ran for cover with a loping gait. I swear it was at least two feet from nose to arse. It was in winter colour but I couldn't see the chest. I told some neighbours about it and an old fellah said he would have to see it to belive it - a polite way of saying I was exagerating which, of course, is polite for "bullshitting". Can't say as I blame him because I wouldn't believe me either if I hadn't seen it.

For those who don't know how "tall" this tale is, a big Pine Marten would tip the scales at 3 or 4 pounds whereas this one had to be over 10 pounds. Not only that, but when I told the old fellah he was eating the last of some moose carrion, the old fellah said, "Yup, it would take a good sized Marten to bring down a moose.", referring to the fact that Martens do not ususally eat carrion. Very polite fellah.