I know, not a drop back , but I thought I would share this with you. Each year, around mid April, on a sunny day, we head down to a gorgeous waterfall on the Willoughby River. (VT) The falls drops sharply over a rocky ledge about 6ft. then rushes over a number of tiers, takes a sharp turn over another tier, then into the calm of the river. Steelhead Rainbow Trout start their upstream migration leaping up each tier of the waterfalls on their way to a lake spawning grounds.The river narrows to just 6 ft across as it approaches the tiers.We pick one strategic spot in front of high falls and stare into the froth.
If you look away a moment, you’ll miss out. What a magnificent feat of nature we witness as these gorgeous bodies, even flash their rainbow skin, swim against the current and hurl themselves up , out of the water over the rocky outcrops. It is exhilarating and at times frightful, sometimes one jumps, hits the rocks and falls back into the white foam . But the water is crystal clear in the calm pools so we are able to watch the fish swim away uninjured, only to attempt again. More often than not, it takes many attempts of innate determination. Knowing the Steelhead do not necessarily die when they spawn, adds another layer of joy in the watching.
“The flowing water, like a traveling story-teller, spends a little while in each still water and then, its tales all told, moves on.” A wonderful story. Especially your last paragraph. I have printed this so I can read it next spring before we head back to the river .
Thank you! If you would like to take a peek,Here is a link;
I watched it over and over. Your steelheads are sort of equivalent to our sea trout - which are genetically pretty much just Brown trout and nobody, last time I checked, is exactly sure why some go to sea and others stay put. I have to confess that I kind of like it when we don't know really important things like that :-)
Yes , Carmine, it is an amazing place. Once the water calms a bit, I could spend an entire day there, searching the water sculpted rocks, admiring their artistic designs. Nature allowing water to imprint into rock. Centuries old , smooth circled, tiny fresh water estuaries with an entire world consisting of sand, stones, driftwood and creatures too tiny to see. Oops, had to snap myself out of it, can you tell I spend a lot of time there?🤭
"Just to open my mouth and say it cuts me loose from the world." I agree; how just a handful of syllables can have this effect brings depth and hope to an ordinary day. Thank you for yours.🙏🏻
Thanks, Alice. It was always said that the poets of Old Ireland could stop a battle if they said the right words. I guess that we might need to do a bit of care and maintenance to get the language back up to that level of magic. Sure would be handy :-)
Gosh, I loved this… having grown up in a port (Portrush) and schooled nearby in a town named for its river once teeming with salmon (Bushmills) I lived the energetic account from 2014… and then the contrast of a more sedate, ‘dropping back’ (and forward) a decade, in reflection.
Enjoyed that - invited a similar process in myself. What pools was I swimming in in 2014?
O bard of the small rivers, never do your words sing more sweetly than when describing the ways of these rippling, silver-flashing lives. What a holy wonder this is, thank you. xo
Hello David, I have never been to Ireland. I just recently, though, went on my lifelong dream trip to Alaska. Where, on the island of Ketchikan, on a tour through the Tongass Rainforest, our guide pointed out a salmon in a little inlet by the ocean, thrilling to behold. The mysterious drive of our fellow creatures are always such a gift to behold.
So lovely. So lovely, indeed. I could listen to you all day, David. Your voice, and I would guess, your presence are very calm and reassuring. You do recount the most fascinating things too. Your observational powers are great. You are a *person who notices things*. I cannot thank you enough for sharing them! Be well!
Hi Heather. Hope all well with you. Ha! I fear I may be one of those swan-like imposters - all 'calm and reassuring' above the waterline but funny webbed feet flapping about under the surface. But as long as you are prepared to spare a few minutes to listen then I'm happy with that :-)
“Adult fish mending in the place of transition… waiting for their strength to come back…free to transform themselves again…”. What a masterful way to describe elderhood, David. Thank you for the inspiration!
You paint with words, David! Bravo!
Masterful.
Love this. Thank you David
The poetic liquidity of your words matches that of every river you have loved and lost David, they will remember you. 🙏🏼
Hi Susie. Liquidity. Now there's a idea. Since we all just end up back in the big ocean, one way or another :-)
I know, not a drop back , but I thought I would share this with you. Each year, around mid April, on a sunny day, we head down to a gorgeous waterfall on the Willoughby River. (VT) The falls drops sharply over a rocky ledge about 6ft. then rushes over a number of tiers, takes a sharp turn over another tier, then into the calm of the river. Steelhead Rainbow Trout start their upstream migration leaping up each tier of the waterfalls on their way to a lake spawning grounds.The river narrows to just 6 ft across as it approaches the tiers.We pick one strategic spot in front of high falls and stare into the froth.
If you look away a moment, you’ll miss out. What a magnificent feat of nature we witness as these gorgeous bodies, even flash their rainbow skin, swim against the current and hurl themselves up , out of the water over the rocky outcrops. It is exhilarating and at times frightful, sometimes one jumps, hits the rocks and falls back into the white foam . But the water is crystal clear in the calm pools so we are able to watch the fish swim away uninjured, only to attempt again. More often than not, it takes many attempts of innate determination. Knowing the Steelhead do not necessarily die when they spawn, adds another layer of joy in the watching.
“The flowing water, like a traveling story-teller, spends a little while in each still water and then, its tales all told, moves on.” A wonderful story. Especially your last paragraph. I have printed this so I can read it next spring before we head back to the river .
Thank you! If you would like to take a peek,Here is a link;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTTaJDUJlw
I watched it over and over. Your steelheads are sort of equivalent to our sea trout - which are genetically pretty much just Brown trout and nobody, last time I checked, is exactly sure why some go to sea and others stay put. I have to confess that I kind of like it when we don't know really important things like that :-)
How valiant these trout are in their striving, and what a beautiful place.
Yes , Carmine, it is an amazing place. Once the water calms a bit, I could spend an entire day there, searching the water sculpted rocks, admiring their artistic designs. Nature allowing water to imprint into rock. Centuries old , smooth circled, tiny fresh water estuaries with an entire world consisting of sand, stones, driftwood and creatures too tiny to see. Oops, had to snap myself out of it, can you tell I spend a lot of time there?🤭
Yes, love in every word. 💙 xo
"Just to open my mouth and say it cuts me loose from the world." I agree; how just a handful of syllables can have this effect brings depth and hope to an ordinary day. Thank you for yours.🙏🏻
Thanks, Alice. It was always said that the poets of Old Ireland could stop a battle if they said the right words. I guess that we might need to do a bit of care and maintenance to get the language back up to that level of magic. Sure would be handy :-)
Exquisite. I'm always transported by your words. Such depth, such poetry. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thanks so much, Carys, for listening to the mighty little rivers :-)
Gosh, I loved this… having grown up in a port (Portrush) and schooled nearby in a town named for its river once teeming with salmon (Bushmills) I lived the energetic account from 2014… and then the contrast of a more sedate, ‘dropping back’ (and forward) a decade, in reflection.
Enjoyed that - invited a similar process in myself. What pools was I swimming in in 2014?
Oh, now there's a thought - the dropping back in time :-) Thanks heavens for thoughtful readers. Thanks
O bard of the small rivers, never do your words sing more sweetly than when describing the ways of these rippling, silver-flashing lives. What a holy wonder this is, thank you. xo
Hi Carmine. I think we are both little river creatures, you and I. Happiest scurrying about in the current :-)
River rats 💧
Thank you for this, David. Your words always help me slow down to savour the beauty you describe.
Hi Carri. Thanks for slow-reading some more.
Beautifully written! I love the first part of 'dropping back' and imagine where I would like to be placed as a
'sentient boulder for a millennium.' Those imagings may become a poem!
Thanks, Evelyn. Yes, boulders should get more of the lead roles :-)
A natural history lesson, poetically told. Thank you.
Hi India. That’s a wonderful muscular ocean behind you in your new picture :-)
Hello David, I have never been to Ireland. I just recently, though, went on my lifelong dream trip to Alaska. Where, on the island of Ketchikan, on a tour through the Tongass Rainforest, our guide pointed out a salmon in a little inlet by the ocean, thrilling to behold. The mysterious drive of our fellow creatures are always such a gift to behold.
Oh my, that was a special glimpse indeed. Lucky you.
Such lovely, poignant words and a beautiful musing. Thank you for putting it out into the world David.
Thanks for reading and being so kind, Kat.
So lovely. So lovely, indeed. I could listen to you all day, David. Your voice, and I would guess, your presence are very calm and reassuring. You do recount the most fascinating things too. Your observational powers are great. You are a *person who notices things*. I cannot thank you enough for sharing them! Be well!
Hi Heather. Hope all well with you. Ha! I fear I may be one of those swan-like imposters - all 'calm and reassuring' above the waterline but funny webbed feet flapping about under the surface. But as long as you are prepared to spare a few minutes to listen then I'm happy with that :-)
“Adult fish mending in the place of transition… waiting for their strength to come back…free to transform themselves again…”. What a masterful way to describe elderhood, David. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks for reading and reading deep in the pool, Yamin :-).