Weather wise, there’s nothing of interest today. It’s an overcast sky, it’s neither too hot nor too cool, it’s a bit humid. There’s no sparkle and shine around the pond, no striking colors. And yet, it happened to be a most prolific day in terms of my photography.

As I walked the more wooded side of the pond, I came upon what I thought was a tangled inner tube to a bicycle on the bank of the pond. As I had never noticed it before, I stepped closer to confirm what I was seeing. In an instant, it slithered away and, I believe, into the water. I shuddered! The snake was about one and a half inches in diameter and charcoal colored. I didn’t see its head. What I saw of it, had no distinctive markings. I was disappointed I didn’t think quickly enough to get its picture. There are days when the pond water is so clear, it’s all I can do to keep from going for a dip. The image of the snake’s ripples on the water will quiet that impulse!

As if to console me about the shot I’d missed and to show the rhythms and occasional predictability of nature, a second snake (above) presented itself on the other side of the pond. I haven’t seen a snake at the pond in nine months. I did take pictures of this snake. I think it might be unhealthy. It had no interest in slithering, in fact it just lifted its head a bit in acknowledgment of noticing me. Plus, its blue eye made me wonder about its condition. I have no idea what it might mean, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen this in a snake before. A few days ago, a lawn crew cleared growth in areas around the pond. I think the two snakes might have been displaced from their homes and perhaps this one was also injured.

There has been an unidentifiable duck or water bird at the pond for a week or so. Today, I startled it from its covering close to the shore. As it swam away I was able to take a picture that shows its detail and markings. I am not able to find a likeness of it in the two resources I use for bird identification. It is predominantly brown. It has a black Mohawk-like tuft upon its head and a streak of black (in Cleopatra fashion!) at its eyes. Please leave a comment if you know what it is. Thanks.

Interestingly, I never see squirrels at the pond. I do, however, see the occasional chipmunk. This one seemed to want to pose for me. Either that, or it was frozen in fear!

And, suspended at the water’s surface, a turtle lazed the day away.

I’m never sure what will catch my eye or interest as I walk around the pond. With today’s uninteresting weather, I think I expected the sights to be the same. So, I was pleased to review my photos once back at the house and to see the variety of creatures having their day at the pond.