Wandering,
as I so love to do,
found me beside a brook
in the late afternoon
as spring prepares
to give way to summer.

A burst of sudden movement
caught me by surprise,
enhanced especially
because something skittered
across the water
toward me
in a manner
unlike its shy parents.

We spent a few moments together,
the young Wood Duck and me,
as I whispered hello,
and it answered with a squeaky whistle,
before skittering
back across the water’s surface
toward the safety
of the opposite shore.

Because I was standing so still,
another who favors
this riparian habitat
flew in
and I was offered
a few pleasurable moments
to enjoy the beauty
of a male Yellow Warbler.

Finally finding motivation
to continue my journey,
I was stopped in my tracks
when by my feet
I discovered
a patch of sundews
growing in a place
I’ve visited many times
but before this moment
never spotted
them hiding quietly
below ferns
where they could carry out
their stealth carnivorous activities
in an inconspicuous manner.

Back on the path
embellished with the
flowering structures
of Maple-leaf Viburnum,
the fervent behavior
of Long-horned Flower Beetles
drew my attention
as two canoodled
in the midst
of so many others
conducting a pollinator dance.

A brief bushwhack
found me staring into
the remains of
an ephemeral vernal pool
that only a week ago
teemed with
thousands of tadpoles,
but now in
its puddle-size
bubbled with those
who hoped for
a quick metamorphoses,
or at least,
that was my hope
for them.

Beside the brook again,
my heart quickened
once more
as I suddenly realized
I was staring into
the richest of porcelain blue eyes.

That I could recall
we’ve met only
once before,
but in this very same spot,
which will forever
be known as
the Lilypad Clubtail Dragonfly
meeting spot.

Upon a different shrub
a few feet away,
another flew in
and asked to be recognized
by the color
of its face
and markings upon
its abdomen,
but it was
the glossy wings
that made me realize
I was greeting
a not-long emerged
Belted Whiteface Skimmer Dragonfly.

Finally making my return
along the same path,
a sight that had
eluded me earlier
now asked to be acknowledged
and I couldn’t help
but think
how much a
Beaked Hazelnut
resembles the body
of a dragonfly.

As my wander
drew to a close
and evening set in,
I was honored
one last time
with the first view
this year
of a tiny skimmer
with big personality
as expressed
by its colors and patterns
including the red hearts
along the abdomen
of this, a male Calico Pennant.
To say I went forth
without expectation
would be wrong
for I fully expected
to spy some cranes
or a beaver at work,
and certainly the resident moose
who keeps tempting me
with its tracks,
but to encounter
the unexpected
reminds me to be
grateful and present
in each moment.
On this occasion I was.
Oh, My! Nature’s encyclopedia, photographer, lover and poet – all in one! And you give us such beauty. All I can say is THANK YOU THANK YOU!
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Oh SC! Thank you so much for your kind comments. This is my diary and it brings me joy to share it with others.
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Leigh that was absolutely beautiful..well done!! And I will say it bought me present in the moment…. You should publish this, beyond.. Thank you for this… I will reread. I have to say,it bought tears to my eyes. I pictured everything, right beside you, and would have felt much the same way, although you expressed it better. I am really getting there..may consider KRR today…..storybook, of course!
“…if you don’t underestimate me,
I won’t underestimate you.”
Bob Dylan
Sent from my iPad
>
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Pammy! What great news to hear you are getting out on the trails again! And thank you for your comments–I’m actually working on another Lake Region Television program and this will be included, so in a way, yes, it will be published. Thank you!
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LS, Thank you for being peacefully present. We need these moments in our daily lives. Love you.
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BS, I always love it when you comment. We do need these moments every day, but we also need to remind ourselves of that. Love you and HFD to Paulie.
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😉💕
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❤
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