There was a fish derby today, down by the water lake. The whole family went down, as did a good many town's folk. As is usual in these things, I spent most of my time being distracted, rather than fishing.
Once again Travis has shown is remarkable ability to detect birds. While we were standing out on the lake, with him Leah and Hilary all fishing, he suddenly called out. "Dad! I hear a bird." After a few minutes I could hear a Raven in the distance and I asked if that was it. No, he said, it's a redpoll or a Snow Bunting. He paused and listened, and above the ATV that was driving by pointed back past shore to the hills lining the lake. Over there.
So I walked, and paused, and listened, and walked, and listened, and sure enough there was the soft twitter of birds. Up on the hill were a dozen Hoary Redpolls feeding on the stalks of seed. My camera? Back in town of course.
So I drove back home, and returned to find that everyone was ready to pick up stakes and move to another part of the lake. I quickly scanned the hills, but they were gone.
Back at the other end of the lake, while the others headed out on the ice, I walked, and paused, and listened. Lemming, fox, hare and weasel tracks were scattered in the snow. But nothing showed itself. Nothing betrayed its presence save the Ravens, wheeling and calling high above.
I stood, and listened, and the inuksuit stood with me.
Comments
4 responses
Your blogs are so wonderful to read. Thanks
Thank you Linda.
Nice!
Thank you Dave.