vaneramos | Serenity and birdsong

One constant in life is the peace I derive from visiting Lake Fletcher. Before my family bought the cottage, visits to our friends there date to earliest memory. As a child I feared its leeches and deep water. Not so long ago the stillness of its nights would agitate my loneliness. But despite fear and longing, it has always prevailed in calming me and inspiring creativity. Back home, I savour that essence.

Saturday morning when we opened the door, a flock of geese flew by. Their calls seemed to come across the lake, but we couldn't see them. Other bird songs gradually presented themselves: eastern phoebe, chestnut-sided warbler, black-capped chickadee, lovely notes of the purple finch, and the shimmering cascade of a winter wren.

While we ate breakfast, the purple finches appeared and gazed forlornly at the empty feeder. Had they waited all winter? As soon as I filled it, four chickadees materialized. One almost landed on my camera.

I saw a pair of hooded mergansers on the lake for the first time.

There were hardly any people. One or two boats cruised by each day. I sunbathed nude on the dock, something I wouldn't do during peak cottage season.

black-capped chickadee