The sun was low in the sky as we headed out into the fields of the Margaret Peak Nature Preserve. There was a wide variety of grasses and wild flowers painting the meadow with a range of colors and textures. Fuzzy green-tipped grasses and wispy golden grass with delicate seedy tops, vibrant purple iron weed and bright yellow flowers and fancy, old fashioned Queen Anne’s lace formed an edible bouquet for all sorts of birds. Swallows swooped overhead and small seed eaters clung to the grasses and chirped their evening songs to each other.
At the back of the field is a restored wetland area. As we approached the ponds, I was thrilled to see a pair of swans, a little flock of ducks and an egret all gathered in the shallow water. Each of the swans held a giant webbed foot out of the water – it was like they were doing yoga in the park.
We moved around the pond to try to get closer to the swans. To our left, I heard a rustle and spotted a young green heron perched in a tree. He was gawky and nervous, but curious enough to hang around and let us approach. The sun had slipped below the trees and the light was growing dim. I spotted a goldfinch just near the trail; his yellow feathers seemed to glow in the evening light. On the ground, a rabbit stood frozen at the edge of the path.
We walked back through fields, watching the sun slip away. A quiet glow hung around the horizon and ignited the clouds like pink embers. Crickets chirped. A flock of Canada geese flew overhead in their v-formation, honking quietly. A cedar waxwing watched the last of the light from a high perch. And then the day was done.
