gorgeous view

October 1, 2020

^{[I originally posted this collage as early access for my Patreon patrons on 24 September 2020].}

still water

August 3, 2020

He gazed out over the still water, eagerly anticipating the feeling of the cool liquid on his feet.

The water was so still. It reflected the trees around it perfectly with barely a ripple. He desperately looked forward to changing that.

Not that he didn't enjoy seeing the water so calm and perfect. But he always enjoyed getting his feet wet and watching the way the water rippled behind him and his siblings.

But for now, he had to cool his feet in the dirt on the side of the lake. His mother flapped about bringing his brothers and sisters back into line.

There were feathers to be smoothed. Little ones to calm and coax as they were still becoming accustomed to the water against their bellies. To paddling their way across the lake.

At times like this, he wished he were able to set out on his own and venture forth to pockets along the other side of the lake he'd not yet had the chance to explore. To leave them all behind and set out on his own.

But as the oldest, he had to set an example. He had to follow his mother's orders so the younger ones would too. It was safer for them that way. He recalled how his older siblings had kept him in line in the past.

He joined his mother in bringing the brood together. He herded his siblings into some sort of organised formation, ready to set out upon the water. He helped his mother by counting them to ensure none had ducked away to avoid their daily practice.

They all seemed to be accounted for.

He poked his beak under their feathers. He ruffled them a little in readiness for their afternoon commute. They wouldn't go far, and it wouldn't take long. But some needed to feel protected while they gained confidence in the water.

Their feathers were all fluffy and soft. His had long passed that stage. He had a more defined colour and look about him.

He spread his wings to show off his plumage to his siblings. Show them what they should aspire to. What they would become, soon enough.

One of his sisters nipped at his wing as he brought them back to his sides. She always had to bring him back to earth. He could be a bit of a dreamer and a braggart. But she always kept him in line.

He quacked in her face in retaliation. She took a step back; remembering her place.

Although he asserted his strength and superiority, he secretly knew she was the better swimmer. She was more adept at finding food under the water's surface even when the whole flock disturbed its serenity as they passed. There was unspoken respect between them for their unique qualities and place within the family.

Finally, it seemed their mother might be ready to lead the charge across the water. She fluffed her feathers and raised her voice to rouse the younger ones. To increase their confidence in the water.

He watched as she took one last march up and down the entourage. She straightened a feather here, lifted a beak there. Nudged the webbed feet of another. And then she appeared satisfied they may proceed onto the serene surface without making any unnecessary disturbance to it.

She waddled to the head of the line and gently stepped into the ankle-deep water before setting off gently across the lake. Her children followed. Some more confidently than others, but all of them obedient and remaining in line.

She shepherded them along the lake, taking them into the centre; the deeper part of the lake. She dipped her beak under the water. She fished, making sure her movements were clear and deliberate. Easy to follow by her children following her.

After a while, she slipped to the side of the long line of ducks and observed them as they passed. She watched them closely and coaxed those who needed it.

He proudly paraded past her, paddling under the water so smoothly that the water around him remained unbroken. He couldn't help but be proud of his talents in this arena. He'd practised hard to get this good.

The fishes swimming below didn't stand a chance. Every now and again he would suddenly break the surface of the water with his beak and snatch up a perfect catch. Sometimes he shared it with his nearest sibling. Other times he gobbled it up whole; proud of his prowess.

He looked about him at the still water and the overhanging trees and thought how lucky he was. How idyllic this place was.