Brick Pond, Old Man Willow, and Godzilla

My daughter and I took a walk at the Brick Pond today. It was unsettled, alternating between clouds and sun, warmth and chill.

Next to the parking area at the entrance to the trail, an old willow tree has stood for years. We’ve seen oriole nests in it, warblers, and even, once, a red-tailed hawk eating a mouse.

Today we discovered it had fallen.

The tree has lived through a lot of history there, acting almost as a host ushering us into many walks, and framing every first glimpse of the pond. I’ll miss it. I hope another will be planted.

We ventured in, noting the lush vegetation and napping box turtles on logs.

I wasn’t really expecting a song sparrow to be hopping down in among the grasses, logs and pond scum, but there it was, busy about some important business.

I’m not sure what this bloom is, and my wildflower guide gives no clue.

We startled two pairs of wood ducks as we came to the berm between the main pond and a little marsh. This male let me get some pics.

Things got interesting when we saw a large snapping turtle gliding stealthily our way.

He wanted to swim through the drainage pipe under the berm, but he was watching us cautiously. Not till we walked a little way up the path and stood still behind some bushes did he make his move.

Resting his chin? Or trying to be inconspicuous behind the log?

My daughter refers to this turtle as Godzilla, but as intimidating as it is, she moved to the walkway over the pipe to watch him swim through. We saw him come out the other side, fully submerged and moving a fair amount of water, as well as producing plenty of bubbles.

Once past him, we crossed a little wooded area and walked out on a second berm that spans the pond.

We saw a vole, an Eastern kingbird, yellow warblers, a Baltimore oriole, a kingfisher, a green heron, and some red-winged blackbirds. At that point, we turned back. Our friend the snapper was where we’d left it, lounging in the sunnier, marshier water.