Benign beast

How have I missed this creature, clearly a watchful but benign troll, all these months? The guardian has been in plain sight, keeping tabs on everyone who has crossed the rickety millpond walkway, since at least early spring when high water brought logs downstream. I have made that crossover, camera in hand, many times in the period, and not once did I ever notice that I was being observed by an owl-eyed spirit. For a naturalist who prides himself on being hyper-observant, this is a sobering realization. We all know where pride goeth, and I fear that were I to keep overlooking the troll, I'd have been assured of a fall. I've read enough of the old tales to know how the spirits can trip you up, so, duly noted and with apologies for the oversight, here's a late-afternoon portrait of a very vigilant, albeit quiet, watcher.