Upon Greeting the Return of Wildlife at a Pond By a Grove

Summary

The author describes the return of wildlife to a newly developed pond area near their over-55 townhome, expressing joy at the sight of geese and a deer after a period of seeming desolation.

Abstract

The author, who has recently moved into a townhome development for those over 55, shares their delight at the return of wildlife to the adjacent pond and woods. Despite initial concerns about the lack of animal presence, the arrival of 18 geese and a large doe has brought life and a sense of connection to nature. The author reflects on the significance of this change, drawing parallels to their own life journey and the fulfillment of finding a sense of home and community, both human and wild. The presence of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, had previously been the only sign of life, but the recent sightings suggest a promising shift towards a more vibrant ecosystem.

Opin

Upon Greeting the Return of Wildlife at a Pond By a Grove

I saw something spectacular yesterday.

I had moved into a small, newly built development of over-55 townhomes in the middle of 2021. I chose it because the view out the back is of a small clump of woods wedged among major thoroughfares. The woods reminded me of where I grew up, 800 miles away, on a piedmont in the pines.

The sole street name is the same name as my hometown, so I took that to be a good sign. I had come full circle. I would dock here to finish the cruise.

Every new development in my new state must have a drainage pond by law, so the communal property came with a small pond to the side of the woods. During long rains, we can hear the collected rainwater empty into the pond through the maze of underground newly minted pipes.

All of the landscaping is maintained by the homeowner’s association of course, a big selling point. We watched the new sod for the small pond’s shoreline arrive and be laid months ago, in an oppressing heat.

The builder had told us that he had a long waitlist for the final three townhomes, all of which face the drainage pond. Those buyers wanted to feel waterfront, he said.

Other over-55 communities have sprung up in the last 10 years in the area surrounding us, so no surprise that wildlife had abandoned the woods. The only life sign outside of humans, ironically, was the spotted lanternfly, which was having a field day, literally, in the little clump of woods.

Off the back deck, I hung a bird feeder with a variety of seeds, all of which remained untouched until molded. Optimistically, I refilled the feeder a month ago and whistled, as if a lone, misfit finch might respond. Silence.

Then the weather finally turned colder, and on Christmas Eve Eve, I saw the flitter-flutter of tiny winged creatures out the window. They had found us!

I would have been happy to see only that, but Mother Nature can be generous.

As if to celebrate New Year’s, 18 geese showed up and splashed around in the pond, noisily ringing in 2022. In perfect formation, they flew away after the party, but they’ll return, they honked.

Yesterday I saw a large doe near the pond, munching away on the newly planted sod. I jumped for joy.

If I were a deer, I would choose this clump of woods also, despite the hum of interstate traffic in the background. I would eye that pond and think, “great, water source.” I would eye that sod and think, “great, fresh food.” I would not notice the street name.

Welcome my newfound friends.

And we are put on earth a little space,That we may learn to bear the beams of love,And these black bodies and this sunburnt faceIs but a cloud, and like a shady grove.

William Blake