THE SHRILL TRILL OF TREE FROGS cut through the woods along the river. Yet, the frogs remained unseen, despite their overwhelmingly loud voices seemingly screaming for attention. Nature is odd like that sometimes. Raucous, but stealthy enough to remain hidden.
Yet, on this walk along the Cannon River near Two Rivers Park in Faribault, not all creatures stayed unseen by me. A mallard drake swam in the river, shimmering iridescent neck and head contrasting sharply with water muddied by recent heavy rains.
Through a curtain of leaves, I spotted a second drake settled on a fallen limb. Sometimes you have to look closely to notice nature in a natural landscape.
I doubt the two youth pedaling the bike trail across the river bridge, along the river, around the bend beside the woods, noticed.
They likely noticed the parked boxcars, though, painted with graffiti. Bold. Vivid. Graphics seemingly screaming for attention. Messages undecipherable to me. Street art. Public art. Boxcar art. Perhaps even some gang graffiti.
Nature paints her own art in reflections and ripples upon water’s surface, in a canopy of trees draping a trail, in a clump of wildflowers or weeds, depending on perspective.
I noticed all of this and a juvenile bunny hunkered at woods’ edge, attempting to appear unseen in a statue still pose. I crept nearer and nearer, clicking my camera until the rabbit eventually decided inaction was likely not the safest option. I posed no threat. But a young creature of the wild doesn’t understand that.
And so this is what I noticed, along the river. Floral and fauna. Noise of tree frog and nearby traffic. Scared rabbit. Duck upon muddy waters. Paint upon boxcars. Me, trying to find my place in the all of it, here beside the river.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Looks like you have found your place, right along the river, Audrey. ❤️
I am rather drawn to water, as most of us are. I just don’t like being ON it.
Nature paints her own art in reflections and ripples upon water’s surface, in a canopy of trees draping a trail, in a clump of wildflowers or weeds, depending on perspective.
Audrey, these insightful poetic lines from your posting today seem like a start to a poem on a very fine spring day.
Sue, thank you for often pointing out the poetry in my writing.
Rivers are intriguing. I know the trail where you were walking…is the “beaver” tree still standing?
Valerie, I’m just getting around to reading yesterday’s comments. The beaver tree is still standing strong. No evidence of new chewing. I believe the beavers gave up on that one.
you have incredible observational skills and the words to paint the images even more clearly. there is so much life there to discover, the animals, the sounds, the painting s
Thank you, Beth. Yes, I do pay attention to the world around me, the details. I credit my prairie upbringing for my ability to observe. When you live in a stark environment, you notice everything and engage all the senses. That’s served me well in my writing and photography.
that makes perfect sense, I hadn’t thought of that, and they sure have
(sorry, part 2) the paintings left by humans, the young bike riders, the people walking through noticing the details and the beauty of it all. thanks for taking us on this walk with you.
You’re welcome, Beth.
I have so enjoyed your recent posts. The photos of the wildlife is so endearing. Tonight I saw fireflies for the first time in many years and then get to read your story. Thanks.
Thank you for your kind words. My husband mentioned seeing fireflies already, too. They are a mysterious delight to me.
Lovely words and images as always. Very calming.
Thank you, Beth Ann.
Such lovely descriptions Audrey, I could ‘feel’ myself walking along with you.
Thank you, Rose. That’s my intention, to take the reader along with me on these walks.