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In the distance, Joe is power-washing the dock. The noise drowns out the bird calls on this warm spring morning.
The birdfeeder bends precariously as a large red-headed woodpecker clings to the edge. Two male and female mallards eat the seed that spills to the ground. Squirrels scurry off when the ducks arrive. The hierarchy of wild creatures is curious.
Hummingbirds flit from a tree to the feeder. The largest one is a bully. She drinks and then flies away, only to return when the others try to get a taste. The smallest one has a black head with a bright red ring around its neck.
There’s a bluebird nesting in the box I hung on the giant oak tree. She must be female because she’s almost entirely gray. She often pops out, flies off, and returns with a stick. The male comes from time to time. He’s so fast, and all you can see is a flash of cerulean blue.
The other day, a creature was swimming up the creek. It had a round, dark head that bobbed in and out of the water. Our neighbor said it was a beaver, not an otter. This is a good thing because softshell crab pots are in the cove. Otters would have devoured them all. Beavers would swim by to eat the river grass.
A blue heron often fishes from our shore. She leaves a large white splash of poop as evidence of her being there. She squawks as she flies off.
My neighbor finally fixed their flagpole. I’m thankful it’s an American flag. There are too many stars and bars in this area. I have no respect for anyone who flies those. But they probably don’t care.
There’s a rhythm to life on the river. The tide comes in and goes out as the moon pulls it. At low tide, oysters peek through the muck, and crabs skitter by as they look for a safe place to shed their shells.
When he went fishing, my husband saw dolphins in the big creek. They’re a long way from the ocean. I want them to turn around and head east. There’s too much danger in the coves. Dead trees create traps that are hard to escape.
It’s so quiet here now that Joe’s turned off the power washer, and my neighbor has finished cutting his grass. Mom’s wind chimes ping softly in the breeze and my dog naps in the shade cast by my chair.
Above me, there’s the sound of an airplane. It leaves a white line in the sky. This is the first time in a long time that I haven’t wanted to be on that plane. I don’t have anywhere I want to go. I’m happy right here, right now.
The birds are noisy again, screaming mating calls. Or do they want the feeder refilled?
Such demanding wildlife.
I felt like I was sitting there with you .. maybe one day! Happy Mother’s Day .. sending you love and hope you have a perfect weekend 😘❤️
Great writing! Took me there