The dance

When the cares of the world feel overwhelming I retreat to nature. There, for a few minutes during a walk, all is forgotten as the elements and the wildlife present their best to all who care to notice. 

Such was the case one day last month, on what looked like a spring day, the salt marsh held the imprints of a small flock of American Black Ducks which appeared to have danced there. 

Their ducky prints are easy to identify among the other animal footprints in the marsh. 

In the stream that day, a Red-breasted Merganser, was veiled behind branches as it dived for food. Usually only dabbling ducks swim there, so this diver was a welcome visitor.

The Black Ducks, common to the area and a visiting Mallard argued a lot that day. If one came too close to the other species, flight occurred. It was a busy stream that day.

A mallard took up residence recently along the stream. He is a handsome stand-out among the more familiar Black Ducks. His companion, a Black Duck, stayed close by, 

relaxed in the setting until multiple Blue Jays sent out an alert.

One day recently, people watched the ducks as a Bald Eagle swooped in on them. All escaped thanks to the early warning system of the jays.

The little birds deserve credit too. Various feeders along the boardwalk attract sparrows, juncos 

                   Dark-eyed Junco, back; Song Sparrow, middle; Tree Sparrow, front

and finches. I especially like these sightings, as the tiny birds present a real challenge to photograph as they flit about more quickly than the ducks.

                                                                         Goldfinch

I always spend time looking out to sea with its changing face which is determined by temperature, wind speed/direction and tide. My husband and I always wonder what the bay will be like on any particular day.

A frozen bay one day, with an off-shore wind, can become an open bay, as in the first photo.

On-shore wind will blow the ice into the bay again, and land and sea are one.

Sometimes the ocean’s surface freezes anew and one could imagine ice skating there.

Then, there’s the slushy ice surface on those days when the temperatures are above zero and it feels like spring.

     

The Red Squirrels deserve mention too. They are always out and about, waiting for a hand-out from walkers who often have peanuts for them. You never know when a squirrel will pop up somewhere.

The wonder of nature is itself like a dance where nature sets the tempo of the music and we are free to engage her.

I hope you enjoy the dance too.