Evening Egrets

     The sight of a snow white egret sweeping in a wide arc over the pond to its evening roost is our nightly reminder to slow down, ease out of the day’s cares and shift to another gear. We are fortunate to have once more found our pond to be a refuge for these lovely creatures who somehow know just when to head for their peaceful place to spend the night. The first arrival always wins an exclamation from the humans onshore. Within minutes the now-regular group of five has assembled, posted about the trees together on the east side of the water. They are gone before sunrise.

   
  About an hour after sunrise today, the third full day of summer, the trees were -- as indicated above -- absent their white ornaments when suddenly our resident grackles rushed together in a small cloud to drive off an a large osprey which had tried to perch above the pond. 
Persistent, the big predator flew low and across, first to one spot then another, trying to settle on a branch.  But with half a dozen blackbirds buzzing it like fighter jets, the realization came that this would not be a stopping place today. The fish catcher quickly sailed out of view toward the river.

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     A couple of weeks ago we exclaimed as a mother Mallard appeared with a flock of babies. Sadly, they are no more. Within two days the mama duck and two of the chicks were missing and the rest were noisily racing around the lake in a little group searching for her. What happened is an absolute mystery, although the snapping turtle is a suspect. The next day, our errant merganser female – who should be far north with her brethren now – found herself chased by three little mallards clearly hoping for a new mother. She jumped up and ran across the water away from them several times before they gave up and began circling again in search of their mother. Within two more days, they too were gone; a grim reminder of nature’s way.

     The summer pattern is in place otherwise. Robins shuttle about on the lawn listening for creatures to grab from below the grass. Gulls, cormorants and Canada Geese soar above, accompanied at evening by swallows which swoop low across the water. Goldfinches are twittering around the neighborhood, joining the regular chorus of mourning doves, grackles, occasional blue jays, woodpeckers, catbirds, various sparrows and – among other singers -- the evening peepers, little tree frogs who punctuate each night now that the truly warm weather is at hand. 

     So far, no fireflies in our neighborhood but we are watching to see if a few won’t yet materialize with their telegraph lights blipping here and there. I have learned there are three common species with lighting up patterns which allow you to discern each one. More on that when and if they show up.

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