Dry & Desolate

I visited one of my favorite places the other day.  It was unexpected--but not surprising--to see dry and desolate mud-holes where usually two ponds provide a lively, lovely habitat for fish, beavers, birds and numerous other wildlife.  A lush, green cover of algae and weeds took over where water once was, brown sticks and muddy hillocks jutted up from the ground.

At my first look, it took my breath away with dismay, however, upon closer inspection I noticed, quite happily, that there were still some animals using what little water remained or taking advantage of the insects and other life that the mud provides.  Swamp life still prevailed!  Blending in with their surroundings (look carefully!) so exquisitely, was an American Bittern, a Killdeer bird, a Great Blue Heron, a family of ducks, and an assortment of damselflies. 

                  Cattails were a symbol of hope that the ponds will flourish once more with coming rains.