Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A RAIN REVIVAL



We received some much-needed rain here yesterday morning. An hour of so's worth of thunderstorms which, once or twice—albeit only briefly—produced what could rightly could be called downpours. We've had a couple of other recent showers so insubstantial as to barely fit the definition, with little effect to the landscape. But this one was sufficient to inspire the brown-yellow grass to wake up and show a bit of green. Many of my flowers now look perkier, too. 

While the amount of rain was still not enough to cause more than an inch of rise in the river or create a discernable change in its color, the herons, kingfishers, blue-winged teal, and other denizens all seem to be enjoying themselves. It also must have encouraged the various sunfish and minnows to move from their refuge depths in the deepest pools back into the shallows. 

In mid-afternoon I watched a great blue heron stalk the water's edge across from the cottage. In twenty minutes the ol' feathered angler nailed four or five small fish—each of which was quickly dispatched and swallowed. 

What a difference a good shower makes to a parched land. The grass turns green again, flowers and shrubs revive and rally, and a great blue heron garners an easy meal.

6 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh how wonderful to be able to watch that from one's kitchen window Grizz.

Penny said...

I know how wonderful rain is when it has been so dry, I hope you get more soon.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

There's always something worth seeing hereabouts. And I really mean it when I say, not a day passes I don't recognize that fact and know I'm truly blessed.

Grizz………… said...

Penny…

Thank you. You're so right. And just so you know, we received a bit more rain this evening, with additional rain predicted for tomorrow. Things are looking up!

Robin said...

Rain. Revival.

Never thought of those two words that way.

Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

Ha! And you, the Windy City plant pusher? Think about those times when you got in neglected, dehydrated stock—or was off a day or two and whoever was in charge didn't water like they should. You saw they needed water, gave them a good, long drink…and presto! Just like magic they perked up. Rehydrated. Refreshed. Revived. Now, imagine a whole region landscaped with water-loving/needing plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, and withhold that necessary water for weeks, months, on end. What hasn't died at the end, when the rains finally do come in more than a sprinkled two-minute mist, are really, really thirsty. Desperate. And you'd be amazed at how that one good soaking rain can revive and restore them overnight—like Lazarus rising from the tomb! And not just plants reacted, but animals, too. Water is life. Rain? Revival? You bet.