Nige really captured it; the prose reads poetically without forcing itself to do so, a real feat. When you can taste the dew on the willow leaves, you know you're reading something special.
When I returned home for good too many years ago now, that first year I saw the great blue heron for the first time in my life and I didn't want nor need a camera because when it lifted off, its wingspan was astonishing, and it was so gorgeous it was all I could do not to cry, literally, such beauty in that swamp. Sorry I had to leave it; but, those back roads were terrible in the winter, spring, summer, and autumn on AMT.
I don't think either Nige or Malty's ever heard a screech owl, then. They talk about the heron sounding screechy; but, really, the screech owl, the one I heard, froze my soul. The thing decided for two days and nights it was going to make its home in the big blue spruce just across the pond and I don't know what happened, mighta been me clanging a pot for hours on end to ensure it didn't; but, it sounded like death, it made blood run cold; it's the most bone-shuddering, heart-scuddering sound I've ever heard. Unforgettable.
Now, of course, I wish I'd taped it; and, if I had an answering machine [and, thank gawd I don't], that would be my message, said the telephobe. Wouldn't need to register on any DNC Lists, either!
Wow, I just fell through the space-time continuum on my way to posting. Thanks, Nige!
Nige really captured it; the prose reads poetically without forcing itself to do so, a real feat. When you can taste the dew on the willow leaves, you know you're reading something special.
ReplyDeleteWhen I returned home for good too many years ago now, that first year I saw the great blue heron for the first time in my life and I didn't want nor need a camera because when it lifted off, its wingspan was astonishing, and it was so gorgeous it was all I could do not to cry, literally, such beauty in that swamp. Sorry I had to leave it; but, those back roads were terrible in the winter, spring, summer, and autumn on AMT.
I don't think either Nige or Malty's ever heard a screech owl, then. They talk about the heron sounding screechy; but, really, the screech owl, the one I heard, froze my soul. The thing decided for two days and nights it was going to make its home in the big blue spruce just across the pond and I don't know what happened, mighta been me clanging a pot for hours on end to ensure it didn't; but, it sounded like death, it made blood run cold; it's the most bone-shuddering, heart-scuddering sound I've ever heard. Unforgettable.
Now, of course, I wish I'd taped it; and, if I had an answering machine [and, thank gawd I don't], that would be my message, said the telephobe. Wouldn't need to register on any DNC Lists, either!
Wow, I just fell through the space-time continuum on my way to posting. Thanks, Nige!