It happens to be a song I like (In the air tonight), but it also means to me, a keen sense of what is around you at night. Being a night owl and out and about in both city and country you become much more aware of your surroundings. Your senses become alive.

Photo by Mike Hartley
Sight is challenged and there are a lot of things out there in the dark with night visions. You know the guys in DC where I work roaming with their night vision goggles. Then there are the night people that work as coordinated teams and while there vision isn’t better they have more eyes on you than you do them. Of course, nature has a huge natural advantage over us due to several differences in our eyes in both makeup and size. They are on you well before you will ever see them.
Being that sight is limited, the sound becomes more important. Hearing can tell you where to look before you can see it. When to and not to take that next step or move quickly.
And that is useful in both country and city environments. Being I live next to the woods I’m familiar with wildlife and sometimes very closely. I’ll open my back door and be face to face with deer or fox.
But don’t overlook the sense of smell. The night and things out in it certainly have smells. Just like that drunk behind you that smell before he stumbles past is a sign of danger. So is an especially change of odor outside. IE Skunk or maybe a bear.
I don’t know what got me thinking about the night again. I used to take late night walks in DC but I stopped that nonsense. Walking in the woods at night isn’t much safer. But I love the night and I’m thinking I’ll get out and shoot a little tomorrow night. I’m so tired now I can barely keep my eyes open.
Random Thoughts of the Day
- I see where Maryland (my home state) ranked dead last in the best state to retire in. Wow, that kind of put a damper on my spirits.
- Things change so fast. Good thing I got a scorecard.
- When I say sleep is on the horizon that means I’m going to bed at daybreak.
- Going to visit a few special people tomorrow.