April 09, 1981 - Sitting by a PondApril. 9, 1981 -Tbt fouffolh Tim
BUDDING RED MAPLE- -Swamp - maples in particular give forth a
showy blossom in early spring. Look for their red color.
Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
Sitting by a Pond
Years ago we bought a worn out piece of
farmland in back of our place when our
kids needed a pasture for their newly -
acquired horse. The land was formed eons
before when the glaciers that formed this
part of the island left a great chunk of ice
buried in the ground. Later these depres-
sions would be called kettle holes.
Through the years the sides of this kettle
hole had been badly eroded by plowing up
and down. The wet spot at the bottom had
been filled with silt and debris. To help
rehabilitate the area, we dug out the pond
and spread the accumulated silt on the
robbed hillsides. We also applied our
newly- acquired manure along with lime-
stone and then seeded the area with a good
hay mixture. Through the years a heavy
sod and stable land have returned and
we've much enjoyed the pasture and the
pond.
Now years later I find myself sitting in
the lee of the pond on a warm April day.
Looking back, the money and effort were
both well spent. Around the pond hang
giant greening willows, a foot thick, waist
high. They were merely branches when I
picked them up along the road where
someone had been trimming years ago. All
I did was jab them into the ground and
they were eager to grow. The size of a tree
gives you some measure of time.
There is a swamp maple on the east side
of the pond that I planted from a sapling.
Its buds are ready to star burst in a brief
display of wine red color. In the rich earth
around the pond are cattails six inches
high and as green as grass. There are
clumps of yellow iris and blue flag I've
R DoKfl,(� @0�
M�OqTq
introduced that stand out against the dead
leaf mulch of winter.
Sure Sign of Spring
This is the day of exodus for our goldfish.
For with the extra mild weather of the past
week and the warm rains their winter
bonds have been unlocked from below and
schools of them are traveling past me,
their heads pressing the surface of the
water. Perhaps it would have been nicer to
have a more elegant fish in the pond, but at
the time I needed a mosquito control and
they were easily available. Their job is
well done; we have no mosquito problem
with them continually at work. Few are
gold. Most are mottled with black. They
swim by as if exploring the perimeter of
their new domain... almost like new ten-
ants checking out an old house.
High in the tree above a mockingbird
has established his calling point. His
chatter will be endless until he hits the
right tune to persuade some lady fair to
join him. Then quiet will take over. So
persistent is he that often he'll call half the
night away. Now he flies over the pond, the
white wing patch bright against the sun.
He heads for another high point up back to
continue his call.
All day long finches sneak in to drink and
bathe along the edge. The male colors are
brightest at this time of the year. Again the
courtship flairs.
Red Epaulets Flashing
Down the fence line is a redwing calling.
He, too, has staked out a territory and has
started his call of love. He flashes his red
epaulets to enhance his shiny black coat.
Near my feet on the light coffee - colored
water a walking bug magically runs about.
He defies all laws of gravity. His legs
spread out on little pimples of air. It seems
he should surely sink or break through, but
Page 7
- no -- the surface tension of the pond holds
-- and he scurries off.
Everywhere the earth responds to the
warming sun. Life again is visible. The
earth has renewed itself. Off in a distance
a tractor methodically turns over the land.
Fields are plowed and the good brown
earth that provides all our sustenance is
once again called upon to produce. When
will we start to realize its importance? The
Indians knew it. Why do we have so much
difficulty in understanding its value and
learning to respect it!
PAULSTOUTENBURGH
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16" Garage Broom
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a Bt'
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