sandhill cranes in wetland
Photo by J. Harrington
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This morning's waning crescent moon was enchanting as it cast minimal moonlight onto the foggy fields in the neighborhood. The yellow crescent evoked hints of next month's harvest moon. Since the county rebuilt the Highway 36 bridge over the Sunrise River, we've seen few families of Canada geese alongside the road. Perhaps the construction noise and activity a few years ago disturbed them enough that they won't return? Also this year the floating bogs seem to be more abundant and diminishing the open water in the marshes. Lack of geese along the road is safer for both the geese and the drivers, but we do miss having a chance to watch the goslings grow to almost grown by this time of Summer. Ah well, we can still look forward to the Perseids shower this coming weekend.
geese and almost grown goslings
Photo by J. Harrington
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August 12 in the Nebraska Sand Hills
Watching the Perseids Meteor Shower
By Twyla Hansen
In the middle of rolling grasslands, away from lights,a moonless night untethers its wild polka-dots,the formations we can name competing for attentionin a twinkling and crowded sky-bowl.Out from the corners, our eyes detect a maverick meteor,a transient streak, and lying back toward midnighton the heft of car hood, all conversation blunted,we are at once unnerved and somehow restored.Out here, a furrow of spring-fed river threadsthrough ranches in the tens of thousands of acres.Like cattle, we are powerless, by instinct can seewhy early people trembled and deliberated the heavens.Off in the distance those cattle make themselves known,a bird song moves singular across the horizon.Not yet 2:00, and bits of comet dust, the Perseids,startle and skim the atmosphere like skipping stones.In the leaden dark, we are utterly alone. As I rub the ridgeson the back of your hand, our love for all things warmand pulsing crescendos toward dawn: this timeless awe,your breath floating with mine upward into the stars.
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