Pond Life Diary, a series

Sun Salutation and Otter at Dawn

Today, at sunrise, an otter,
sleek and saucy, slipped below
the deck as I yoga-posed and he
stole two carp cleanly, leaving
little to show of the crime,
just wet evidence on the patio stones.


Garter Snake

In this summer heat
even snakes get a thirst on
and this one seems parched.
I spied him weaving through the
mossy rocks and yellow celandine
on an urgent mission to drink.
Tongue-testing. For what?
Potability? Temperature?
Whatever it is he dips his head
and slakes his thirst silently then,
to my surprise, he glides deeper
into the pond and S-swims to the
far side where he finds a crevice
and is gone.


Haiku for Tomorrow's Mink

Sinuous black flash,
Shaking silver from his coat,
No doubt he'll be back.


Kingfisher Visit

A loudly announced presence, now he comes
boldly coloured, flashing his iridescence.
Eyeing the water, hovering opportunist
but the mat of lily pads are sanctuary
for today's specials. No fast food
for any hungry kingfishers today,
there will always be tomorrow.


Heron with Crows

Study in stillness,
one legged sentinel,
solo spear fisher in grey gear.
Only the wind ruffles his feathers.
As a murder of rowdy crows come to bathe
almost casually he spreads wide pewter wings
raising a crest to show he means business,
this is his pond, these are his fish
and no one else's. The roof is his
next perch, away from riff-raff
and loud, squabbling gossip
but where he can watch
for the next
opportunity.


Water Lilies

This year's crop is a Monet
in miniature. Pink tinged
and smiling at the sun, cloaked
by broad green plates that host
froglets trying out their unfamiliar
legs. Bumbling bees and fierce
dragonflies vie for glory in the gold
that crowns the center of each pearly bowl.
Below the surface lurk embryo lilies
waiting for their turn in the light
each one as splendid as its sister.


Deer

Attracted to the sound,
falling water, they come
morning-wary, knowing
that this is a people place.
A young buck with velvet antlers
barely branching over head and
two doe-eyed ladies tip-toeing
daintily over the gravel.
They have already nibbled my roses
and taste-tested other, less desirable fare
and now they drink and watch and drink,
alert yet peaceful as only deer can be.