WILDLIFE SENSES, understands, picks up on nuances that we as humans often fail to notice in our heads-bent-to-our-smartphones, busy scheduled lives.
The recent flooding is a prime example. I saw countless cellphones raised to record floodwaters and rising rivers. I carried my 35 mm Canon camera, drawn just like everyone else to document the historic natural event unfolding before me along the Cannon River in Faribault.
But I also noticed the wildlife. They, too, were observing. Watching the water. And watching people invade their river habitat by the hundreds. I sensed how uncomfortable the egret, blue heron, ducks and red-winged blackbirds were amid all the human chaos. So many people and so much traffic.
I expect they longed for quiet. Peace. A respite from the attention. A return to normalcy. No more peering eyes. No more crowds gathering.
And then there were the fish, primarily bullheads, but a few bass, attempting to swim up through water that was rushing down, spilling over the edges of the dam by North Alexander Park. The fish appeared determined to make it to the other side, to the quieter waters of the widened river. It seemed a losing cause to me. But who am I to discourage a stubborn bullhead? If anything, it was fascinating to watch.
Finally, I observed a mama duck and her brood aside the top of the dam. They began edging, descending toward the river. Foolish ducks, I thought, judging the mother mallard. And then I voiced my concern out loud, “Stop, you’ll drown!”
I can only imagine the thoughts of that mother and her six ducklings. “Did that woman really say that, warn us to stay out of the water lest we drown?” If ducks could laugh, the seven of them would have chortled, chuckled, carried on and then shared what they’d heard me say. Quack. Quack. Quackity. Quack.
But it was my husband who spoke for them. “They’re ducks, Audrey,” Randy said. “They can swim.”
Uh, yeah. He was right. But it was the mom in me emerging, the protective spirit that, in that moment, did not separate wildlife from human so focused was I on the dangers of the swollen, swift-moving river.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
yes, every living thing is impacted when their world is turned upside down for a time, and they all crave a return to their normal lives, each seek it out in their own way, humans included. very observant of you and I can certainly see you wanting to help them along.
There was that definite feeling/sense of the world being turned upside down for the creatures I observed on Friday evening. We are all interconnected.
Nice observations. The wisdom inherent in wildlife and Ina Maka. We tend to humanize all we see and touch, yet we are just part of the fabric, woven into a masterpiece.
Hope your health journey is going ok.
Kind Regards,
John Kellen
It’s good to hear from you, John, as I always appreciate your insightful observations and thoughts.
Healthwise I am in a much better place than a year, even eight months ago. That said, I still experience some residual from long haul COVID, specifically in sensory issues. Regarding my eyes, my prism-heavy prescription lenses are handling my double vision mostly. Without them on, I see double some of the time. I struggle to see things clearly on my computer, which is definitely a problem when viewing and processing my photos. Thanks for asking. I hope you are well.
Thanks Audrey,
Glad to hear you are doing better. I’ve relocated to New Ulm to take on the Executive Director role here at the Grand Center for Arts & Culture. I’m thoroughly enjoying it and learning a lot. Stop in if you’re ever in New Ulm.
Kind Regards,
John
Congratulations on your new job at The Grand, John! I’ve been there, photographed and wrote about it. Here’s a link to one post:
I’d suggest typing “New Ulm” into my blog search engine to see the many other posts I’ve written about New Ulm. This is one of my favorite Minnesota cities. My mom’s family is rooted in nearby Courtland. If you’ve met a “Bode,” they are likely related in some way to me. I will certainly stop in whenever I’m in New Ulm. Unfortunately, since my mom died, I don’t get to sw MN much anymore.
It is interesting to think about what the wildlife do in storms, and floods.
I talk to animals too! 😉
I love that you talk to animals. I know how much you enjoy your volunteer time at the farm.