Wilderness ways

“Wilderness Ways” by William J. Long is a collection of naturalistic sketches written in the late 19th century. The text is a series of observations of animals in their natural habitats, focusing on their behaviors and characteristics without attributing human emotions or motives to them. The author examines various creatures, emphasizing their instincts and natural responses, while celebrating the complexity and beauty of wilderness life. The opening of “Wilderness Ways” sets the stage with a preface explaining the author’s intent to present animals as they truly are, avoiding anthropomorphism. It begins with sketches of the woodland caribou, known as Megaleep, highlighting its distinctive features, habits, and the challenges of observing such a elusive creature. Long illustrates the tension between the wild, unpredictable nature of Megaleep and the human desire to understand and capture it through observation. He portrays encounters in the snowy expanses where the caribou thrive while weaving in personal reflections on the fascination and frustrations of studying wildlife in its natural state.