Good Neighbours Are Hard to Find
Whether you’re living in the city or the ‘burbs, it’s a fact that good neighbours are hard to find. But here in the South Cariboo, excellent neighbours abound. You just can’t always spot them. That is unless you employ a little bit of the right technology.
By Ann Simpson-Stamos
The parcel of land we own out here in the Cariboo Region of British Columbia is heavily wooded and extensive, and it lends itself beautifully to nature hikes. On any one of my frequent rambles, my first impression always is that we have no immediate neighbors. The closest people living in our part of the Cariboo are tucked away in their homes on parcels far away from our own, unseen and unheard, and unknown to us.
As I carry on along a particular hike, there is a quietness broken only by the voices of birds and the sounds of my own footsteps. It’s nice to be alone and surrounded by the woods.
But the sense of being alone is only an illusion that’s dispelled once some simple but effective technology reveals to us the fact that we do indeed have neighbors. Many neighbors, in fact. But not the kind of neighbors we’d find living in a suburban subdivision…
Years ago, we carved out a number of lengthy and winding hiking trails throughout the woods on our property. Shortly after their completion, we fitted them with quite a few game cameras, which we positioned in locations that we thought would promise us glimpses of those with which we might possibly be sharing our land.
As it turned out, we discovered that our woods are actually a pretty busy place, populated by all kinds of neighbors.
(A note about the following photos – these are most definitely not of the same quality as those that might be taken by a wildlife photographer, but I don’t think this fact makes them any less fun to look at.)
A few different members of the family Cervidae are present and are frequently spotted by our cameras. By far, the most common captures are of the Mule and White Tail deer that routinely explore the property. I hate to admit that, at times, it can actually seem a little bit boring to find so many photos of them. But there are always some photos that capture enchanting moments in the lives of these graceful animals.
Large and impressive Elk sometimes pass through, though their visits are brief and are sadly becoming less frequent as the years go by. There was a wonderful story from a few years back about a lonely male Elk that appeared to have become enamoured with someone’s cow, but usually these magnificent creatures pretty much keep to themselves.
And then there are the Moose. Though seemingly gentle, these silent, massive animals are perfectly capable of defending themselves. In fact, unless a Moose is injured or ill, there are very few predators that, as individuals, would willingly choose to confront one. Moose can definitely take care of themselves.
Not all of our neighbours are walk around on all fours. Sometimes we’ll catch funny glimpses of a two-legged avian variety.
Predatory animals are an important part of nature, and we certainly do have our share of these in the South Cariboo. It’s fortunate that these beautiful animals have extensive wild habitats and can sustain themselves with plenty of natural food sources, which in turn allows them to live their lives in undisturbed fashion and to just be themselves. Life here in the Cariboo would seem very empty without them.
And, finally, we have bears! BEARS!!! Black Bears are the species living in our region, and they’re sighted often in the area. In spite of their size, power, and fierce appearance, their diet relies heavily on the plants and berries that grow here. Ants are a choice protein, and they often leave evidence of their hunt for the nests in the form of rolled rocks or logs, or the shredded bark on an old fallen tree.
For the most part, our bears really want nothing to do with us, and they actually prefer avoiding people when they’re out doing their bear stuff. Making a little bit of noise when I’m out for a hike is the best way I’ve found to alert them of my presence so that they can head off in another direction. Surprisingly, these massive creatures really are masters of the art of minding their own business.
Even after so many years, I still always feel a little surge of excitement whenever I check the cameras to see whose photo might have been taken. Part of this excitement stems from wanting to know which animals have been enjoying their lives out on the property, but the other part is simply the assurance that one doesn’t live their life alone out here. It’s about knowing there are neighbours galore, which, in many ways, have turned out to be the best neighbours of all.
“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”
George Eliot (Mr Gilfil’s Love Story, 1857)
“Good Neighbours Are Hard to Find” ©2026. Ann Simpson-Stamos and The Renaissance Garden Guy
Ann Simpson-Stamos is a mycologist, writer, and regular contributor to (and co-publisher of) The Renaissance Garden Guy. She resides in Bridge Lake, British Columbia, where she writes and remains in constant pursuit of her mysterious and beautifully surreal quarry. She is married to her RGG co-publisher, John G. Stamos. Click here to follow Ann Simpson-Stamos on X (Twitter), and find her on Bluesky at Ann in Bridge Lake at Bluesky.
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Ann, you’re fortunate to live in such a wilderness paradise. Thanks for sharing some of your animal pics and information in this wonderful article.
Thanks so much for reading the piece, Rick! It really does feel wonderful living here, especially when these neighbours reveal themselves.
What a treat to read this and see all those photos of your fascinating neighbors! Wonderful piece, Ann!
Thanks so much, Lisa! I’m happy that you liked getting to know some of my most favourite neighbours. They really are some of the best ones that I’ve had the good fortune to encounter.
Ann, I love the area you live in. I miss all the green foliage and the flowing streams and rivers living here in Phoenix, AZ. Thus, my annual trip back to Indiana to regenerate. There definitely is some wildlife within a couple of blocks of a nearby 18 hole golf course. Here, we’ll see coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. It’s wonderful to see these creatures. Great snaps of your furry neighbors. wonderful piece.
Scott
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Scott. I love living here, and the diversity of the landscape and its inhabitants would be things that I would miss too. I’m happy to hear that you still have opportunities to refresh your experiences of these as well.
What a wonderful bunch of neighbors! I loved all the photos and all the info you included with them. It’s hard to imagine all of those amazing animals strolling so casually around just outside your door. Thanks for sharing their stories and photos. Great article!
Thanks so much, Kevin, and I’m so happy that you enjoyed the piece and the photos. I’m still amazed at how quiet the woods will feel when I’m out hiking alone, and, at the same time, I’m even more amazed knowing that I’m actually never really alone. Thanks again for such a lovely comment.