Optical illusions are interesting things. They are neutral, of course; they don’t try to frighten or brighten. It is up to our interpretations as to what we feel about them. Most of the time they are, initially, puzzling, and then, entertaining.
Yesterday, I was walking outside on a very pleasant late spring afternoon and saw a woodchuck across the street. I thought this odd, because I’d not seen a woodchuck in my town, and I was pretty sure that, unlike the deer who seem so accustomed to human and automobile traffic, a woodchuck, or any rodent, would not tolerate such proximity of our species.
I thought that he may have been paralysed with fear, unable to move, even as I approached him. Perhaps he had been struck by a car or truck and was injured, or worse. I wondered if I would have to call a veterinary to treat this unfortunate wild animal.
Then again, perhaps he was not a chuck, but a chunk – a chunk of a tree branch, lopped off and lying between the sidewalk and the street. Perhaps I need my eyesight examined…
This made me smile! I've been known to be fooled by something that looked like something else more than once in my life. That chunk of wood does look a lot like a woodchuck from a distance. It would make an interesting addition to a garden setting.
ReplyDeleteOh yea, it's pretty funny when that happens. We see strange things over by our lake sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHow many times have I said out loud "what an optical illusion" I can not tell you. Always with the want to see something that is not there. But the fun of it, you were out and about and had good weather. That said, it may also have been an illusion after the cold wet Spring.
ReplyDeleteI have been taken aback along the roadside occasionally when it seems as though something is lying there helpless; and as I go past I can see it is an inanimate object.
ReplyDeleteThis happens to me regularly because I should be wearing my glasses, but don't. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat wood DOES look like a groundhog/woodchuck from a distance, and as someone mentioned, would make a neat addition to a garden.
P.S. There's a long-fallen tree in the swamp that from the right angle looks like a goose; fitting, as that area is a stop-over for so many geese.
That was funny but easily happens.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, that chunk of tree branch does not look at all well.
ReplyDeleteThe other morning, I saw a black object lying in the alley next to my house. I nearly passed out because from a distance, it looked like the body of a black cat. After I roused enough courage to approach the object, it turned out to be a child’s sweater.
I see "cats" from time to time; I always check but they are usually discarded garments, boxes, etc.
DeleteWell, at least you had the "wood" part correct!
ReplyDeleteWe thought we saw a heron the other day. It turned out to be a branch and leaves sticking out of the water. :)
"Wood" - quite right!
DeleteThat is funny! But seriously that piece of a tree limb sure was emulating a woodchuck! That would be a good idea for April Fools Day!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou got me going this morning John..
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember a saying as a boy..
So l looked it up...
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
According to the Poetry Foundation, a woodchuck would chuck “As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood.”
So there you have it..HeHe! Clear as mud..! :O).
It's funny how our brains find a pattern...from a mirage!
ReplyDeleteWell, John, I don't think you need your eyes examined. Looking at the picture, I thought it was a woodchuck too. We have a lot of groundhogs in my area, and I think they're kind of cute. As a matter of fact, two of them have made their home right across the street.
ReplyDeleteits all in de mindz eye....we saw wood chuck two !! ;) ☺☺♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about that: this could be a sculpture in the MIndz Eye Art Gal O Ree.
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