Disturbing the Peace

It was the kind of morning to enjoy an early nap in a hammock wrapped in a light blanket. The rising sun was warm. The only sounds were a Red-winged Blackbird's "oka-reeee" and the rustling of dried leaves as the winds were just beginning to gust.

Peaceful Mallards paddled without a care

and dried themselves on the deck.

I could have sat in the sun all day and enjoyed the scenery.

Well, look who the wind blew in.

Canada Geese and their ear-piercing honk.

The first fleet arrived, announcing their landing.

I’m convinced I need to sit on a bench for an entire day and wait for birds in flight to practice photographing them. I always jump the gun and press the shutter before I allow the camera to auto-focus and I also confuse myself with manual in/out zoom during those times. You see, it’s difficult for me to stay calm when I rarely see birds fly overhead. It's also challenging when I’m standing on a bank and fear losing balance and rolling toward an algae bath.

I’m fond of this photo, even as a silhouette. It’s purely accidental that I allowed the camera to focus before taking the shot.

Flapping wings and thrust were heard overhead; seemingly close enough to lift my bangs.

The second fleet arrived but not without opposition from the first. Hiss.

The kack acking began and filled the atmosphere with ack.

The first fleet acked back, too.

Fifty ackers

and one hundred hairy eyeballs.

So much for peace.

The confrontation ended within a minute or two



and the Mallards knew it was time to give up the deck.

The day progressed from warm, light wind gusts to whipping cold winds.

Oak leaf silhouettes suspended in air. Wow.