With trees that had fallen during the tornado finally removed, I was able to walk around the ditch, eager to check out the storm damage. It really took quite a hit, being the most westerly part of our neighborhood and the first to bear the brunt of the winds. I was pleased to see a good deal of progress had been made. Many of the fence slats (some already weather-worn) had fallen apart. They've repaired most of them. It will take some time for them to achieve the weathered patina of their still-standing mates, but they are strong.
There were many trees down and their removal, along with much of the other debris that went with them, has changed the landscape. This area once was thick with trees and small-branch foliage. You could never see through the the park bench. Now you can.
I'm quite sure this tree will remain in the water.
Other spots that used to be thick with trees now "have a view." It takes some getting used to.
But fortunately, the storms didn't stop the wildflowers from coming up. There was quite an array. (You can click on the photos to enlarge.)
The waterlilies were thick with foliage.
Many were in full bloom, each one a gem.
After a long absence, I noticed that the ducks were back. Most were our older ducks, enjoying some time in the sun.
But this family is still quite young. I found them enchanting.
There was something about this that touched me -- this mom and her babies, hanging in there, hanging close, after the tornado brutally ripped apart the areas around them. I was glad they were safe.
Considering all the rain we have had, the ponds seem very low -- some almost seem like they have narrow "beaches" and the water isn't flowing well from one pond to another. I think of playing Pooh Sticks with the grand guys here a few weeks ago. You couldn't do that now.
I mentioned a surprise. You might recall that I have said before that I'd yet to see Harry the Heron. Since most years I see him by the end of March or beginning of April, I had started to believe he'd found another pond. And then I saw this.
Yes, the camouflage is good. But zooming in, there he was, on the hunt for dinner.
Welcome back, Harry. It's so nice to see you back where you belong!
Sharing with: Saturday's Critters / Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style
44 comments:
It's so sad to see trees 🌳 go down. I am glad the ducks and the heron were able to weather the storm, so to speak. Animals and birds are so resilient. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your beautiful bird and flower photos.
Nature altered, yet enduring, and how heartening that amidst the wreckage, both the mother and her young, and Harry the Heron, have quietly remained.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the water lilies. When I was around 12 years old my nephew and I (he was just a little bit younger than me) took a row boat and rowed into the lake where we were surrounded by water lilies. Along with the water lilies was the music of croaking frogs and I fell in love with this scene. You're beautiful photos brought that memory all back to me. Everything is so lovely you would never believe there was a tornado. Great post!
Your area did a good job of cleaning up after the tornado. It's amazing how the landscape can change after one of these tornadoes. I've seen an entire town destroyed from a tornado in KS. You were actually lucky. Trees will grow back and before long you will notice how mother nature is so good at taking care of her own when she is not interfered with. Loved the waterlilies photos.
Wow, that went quick! In Germany.... you could expect it to be done come Autumn.. And so great the wildflowers made it.
And the waterlillies are so beautiful. Cute duckies. Ours go crazy, they walk into the city! I wonder how they made over the main street (4 lanes) unharmed!
To Harry :-)
Welcome back, Harry! Jeanie has missed you. Looks like a good job has been done in cleaning up after the storm damage. It will be very interesting to observe what new tree species start to thrust skyward now that they are receiving so much more sunlight. Forest succession is fascinating to study. Have a great weekend- David
...Jeanie, thanks for taking my along on your nature walk!
That is the trouble about heavy rain...comes and goes fast instead of soaking in and replenishing the water table.
It is all looking good though, if a lot more open
The dead tree in the water will be a great sunbathing place for turtles now if they are in the pond. I love seeing the turtles in the marsh on dead trees over here. Glad Harry is back. Every now and then I see the Herons and Egrets...but our marsh is so huge, they could be anywhere and the only way into it is by small boat, kayak or canoe...unless they appear next to the road where I drive through most days. Glad your ditch is coming back alive. Janice
Hello Jeanie,
YAY, I am so happy to see Henry the heron has returned to the Ditch. Beautiful collection of wildflowers, the waterlilies are lovely.
I also like the cute ducks and the ducklings are adorable.
It is nice you could share the Ditch with grands!
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Good morning, Jeanie. Tornados change the landscape forever, or at least that is true here. I loved seeing the water lilies and happy to see Harry! Happy Saturday!
In a wholly natural environment, storms are part of the balance of nature even if they destroy individual plants or creatures. But in a man-made locale, destruction is another story. I hope your ducks and herons do well! And that your trees regrow eventually.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I live in an old town and areas like yours and am used to seeing fallen warriors:( Always sad.. But nature seems to heal itself..I have pics of our boys similar to this one:)
Here's my prediction: now that the canopy has been reduced, it's very likely that you'll begin to see many more wildflowers. Some species that need more sunlight may still be lurking in the soil, ready to take advantage of the changed circumstances. That's one reason that controlled burns take place: to reduce woody plants and allow the flowers to better thrive. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Yay, Harry!!! I'm going to try visit. Lovely to see nature healing and the Ditch come into itself again this summer.
Storms take their toll. They do a bit of rearranging, which sometimes ends up being a good thing .glad Harry is found.. I love the wildflowers and the water lilies..Missy
Nature is so resilient what a beautiful journey through recovery after the storm.
The wildflowers, ducks, and even Harry the Heron returning bring hope. Thank you for sharing these quiet, powerful moments. It felt like a peaceful walk with you.
Good morning I loved seeing all of your photos! Trees falling down from storms-not good-lots of rain here still but thankfully no bad storm damages near us here on the lake-thankful
Happy weekend
I'm happy to see Harry too! WHEW! And the waterlilies are gorgeous! Sorry about the trees that came down. It's always something happening in nature...good and bad!
We did see our Harry a week or two ago, but he is scavenging elsewhere these days.
Sad for all the missing trees, but happy the ducklings survived and seeing Harry was a delight! I'm glad it has been cleaned up. So many areas are still a disaster due to lack of assistance. Have a really good weekend, Jeanie! :)
Such a pretty walk. I am glad to see Harry back.
Cathy
Always love a good ditch tour. Glad they are getting things cleaned up and repaired in a timely manner.
My goodness, it must have been horrible Jeanie. These are awesome photos though. It is great to see all the ducks and the babies, and the heron. So glad it is back :) The flowers are very pretty. Sad you lost the trees. It will be a while before you settle into the new look of things but Mother Nature has her ways. She sure did rustle her skirts on this one. Now it is time to smooth out her creases.
Isn't nature a wondrous thing?
Hope new growth springs up where the old trees were. At least now you can see the lake!
The wildflowers are so beautiful. And what a happy surprise to see Harry back once again.
Your walk through the recovering landscape captures resilience in every detail from the steadfast fences and cleared paths to the mother and babies quietly enduring, and finally, the joyful sighting of Harry the Heron signaling hope amid the aftermath
Hurrah for the ditch being walk-able again. I'm sure there will be changes that the storm created, but I bet it will all come together and the ditch will be back to a new normal very soon. Well, it seems like already is. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. hugs-Erika
Jeanie, we also have a great blue heron that visits on the Nashua River, who we have also named Harry, so glad that yours is back. Also nice to see the resilient ducks and the family too.
I hope the duck and those babies find a place to rest after the storm hit hard. So sweet that there sticking close together. The water lilies are so pretty. It's like each one has its own personality. So glad you got a chance to visit The Ditch, Jeanie, and to finally see your Harry the Heron back in the waters.
~Sheri
Storms do take their toll/ happy to see Harry back at the ditch. The wild flowers are lovely.
welcome back harry!! doesn't it seem like we have been having so many really strong storms!! cute little duckies....and a good eye on that heron, many people would have missed it!!
It’s incredible to see nature bouncing back after the storm—wildflowers blooming, ducks returning, and even Harry making his comeback. Despite all the change, there’s something beautiful about resilience. Glad to hear things are looking up!
Good to see nature coming back! So encouraging! Jenny W
Tornados are devastating, but Mother Nature always bounces back. The water lilies are gorgeous!
Jenna
Welcome back, Harry! Those flowers are lovely, and I adore the photos of the beautiful water lilies. The hurricane and storms have affected many of the natural areas here too.
Being out in nature after a disaster is consoling. Treed areas recover. Plants come back, with flowers. Animals return. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Nature can be so resilient.
So lovely to once more see Harry the Heron.
All the best Jan
Reminds me of taking walks with my boys when they were younger.
I'm surprised that the water level is low with all the rain you've had! Our creek is really running fast now so it's great for stick racing. We haven't been down to our usual area of the creek lately so we need to get over there and see if the water is moving fast over there.
I'm glad you finally spotted Harry!!
People are so relient! I love how fast they repaired the fences. And those waterlilies are so beautiful. How amazing to just find those in nearby woods.
I wonder why the water level is so low? We all have had so much rain here in the Midwest.
I am happy to see the repairs around the ditch, and hopefully, the vegetation will grow back quickly.
Pretty wildflowers make us all smile, along with seeing Harry!
My sister lives in Florida for the winter. After Hurricane Ian, her Eddy, the Egret that visited her every day, disappeared for months. Then, one day, guess who showed up in her backyard? Eddy!
There is hope!
It is sad to see the trees go down during a storm. I was happy to see the beautiful wildflowers and the sweet duck family!
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