Hey Diddly-Do-Da Papa's Blog!

I have gone to Squire's Castle recently. It is a park portion to Strawberry Lane of the Metro Parks System. There in the sunlit chill of March, I observe a young beaver in the rain swolllen pond foraging: no frolicking, in his engorged domain. On the far side are two one year old, I surmise, great blue herons figuring each other out while working distractedly on a nest. Below me about sixteen feet, where the shoreline begins downhill from my observation post, are two malards who mate for life. They see me, and squawking, they flutter their wings while making waves dragging their webbed feet. They are scurrying away from the fright of seeing me seeing them. Though it be cold, though I be chilled in a perfectly sunlit afternoon, I am warm inside with the joy of this free nature. I am astonished. I wish you all could be here to share it with me. Bring hot chocolate when you come.