There is this tree

...I visit often. It’s thriving at the edge of a pond.

What type of tree? I don’t know. It’s sort of homely with an odd shape unlike a tree, it isn’t stately or attractive, but what adorns it is dazzling. This tree is full of life, all the time. I avert my gaze for a bit to search for waterfowl.

There are no Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Belted Kingfishers, or Hooded Mergansers to enjoy; however, there are a few Mallards rippling the waters

and congregate at the base of other unattractive trees.

But, back to this tree I’m calling my own. On Sunday morning there was a lot of business in this tree, all at once. I got flustered on deciding what to photograph first.

The Song Sparrow, perched high, was heard above the Red-Winged Blackbirds. I didn't hear the traffic rushing by - just the songbird.

Brown-Headed Nuthatches made an appearance, scaling branches with quick agility, then perched, and stayed for a while. Two of them.

A male Downy arrived quietly to claim his space.

His routine was carried out like clockwork, eyeing me up each time, before exiting.

In the middle of the tree I heard a lovely Bluebird melody. They are always here, in this tree. Females first.

There are beautiful birds all over the world. Then there are Eastern Bluebirds. Breathtakingly beautiful. I’d love to show ten more photos right here and now.

I looked below, over the railing that separates the road from the pond, to see turtles sunning themselves at the base of this tree.

Is there any wonder why I want to call this tree “mine”?