Turtles, Osprey, & Possum

Something always happens at Findley.
You finally decide that turtles are enough,
Then the osprey decides to hunt.
And at home a possum visits our birdfeeders.
A full day and Spring has come.

Back on the Water

First time out for the 2006 season.
Back to Findley Lake to check on the heron situation.
Only a few and they were skittish.
Even the geese expressed a bit of resentment to our intrusion.
We did our usual circuit round the lake though we had to fight the wind the first half.
We had just commented on the solitude and peacefulness when there was a fire a few miles south and the Wellington fire truck sirens could be heard just beyond the tree line.
There was another kayak couple but they were much more professional than us - wet suits and spray skirts.
Not sure what they were prepared for - and they didn’t stay out as long as us.
I’m sure the town enjoyed seeing our kayaks back on top of the Honda.
We probably just became a new sign of Spring.

One Last Ritual

Lightly removed the burrs
on the gouges and scratches
left over from last season
with a razor blade
gently and carefully
but it was a good way
to renew the relationship.

Almost

Almost warm enough,
Almost sunny enough,
Almost smelled like the time,
And almost started the season.

Unwrapped the openings,
Scrubbed the interior,
Sand and dried mud,
Left from last season.

Vacuumed the dirt away,
Inspected the interior,
Rewrapped the openings,
Now ready for water.

Warm Late Winter Rain

Oh rain - what pain,
To tempt with mild spring-like air,
And lone heron flying overhead.

Yet rain and lack of time,
Threat of icy glaze on lake,
Keep us from uncovering the kayaks,
Our first excursion.

Winter is a Bummer

I'm really bothered
with the lack of kayak events
in the Winter Olympics.

Settling in for the Winter

Suppose there comes a time
when you must admit
the season really is over.

Lakes are freezing shut,
Snow covers the ground,
Days are much too short.

Thoughts of lashing the kayaks
to the top of the car
is enough to numb the fingers.

So the kayaks are mounted
on the garage wall -
much like hibernation.

Won't even think of doing
little maintenance things
you should do in the coldness of the garage -
wait until just before Spring breaks.

But we can't help seeing them
every time we pull the cars in or out,
Reminder of where we'd rather be -
if not for seasons.

A Winter's Day...

We'll start with the end of the season.
Kayaks are mounted on the wall of the garage,
awaiting maintenance and winter's rest.

Ponds are freezing over.
Rivers are running deep and frigid cold.
Shoreline has lost its color.

Time to sort out memories,
of past summer's and fall's paddling,
and to start planning for next spring.