Place 5: Harvest Time

2:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8

Normally, I don’t see much difference in the pond from week to week. However, today I noticed one main change: the water level dropped dramatically since my last visit two weeks ago. Before I even sat down on my bench to begin writing, I noted that the fountain’s small, flat, concrete disk lay fully exposed at an angle rather than to seemingly float on top of the water. Pitiful is the only word to describe the fountain’s appearance. Beneath the disk, a thin, dead branch sticks out awkwardly as if causing the tilt. Water spews from the spout at an impressive forty-five degree angle. I’m not sure if the stray branch is a recent occurrence or if it has been there all along. Either way, I think the time has come for Chatham to remove or replace the fountain. Since I enjoy the sound of running water, whether natural or man-made, I opt for replacement.

Shallow water also reveals pond features that weren’t fully visible in the past: rocks bordering the edge; a wire cable holding the fountain in position; scum-coated bricks; and a foot-tall drain at the opposite end furthest from the fountain. Nature, it seems, shares my opinion about the pond’s appearance because maple leaves and hemlock needles skim the water’s surface as if to distract observers. I must admit, I’m not entirely distracted. Slightly, though, enough so that I glimpse a nearby Eastern Hemlock tree that I have ignored for weeks. Growing up surrounded by white pine trees, I’m used to long needles and large, sturdy pine cones unlike the short needles—a mere half inch long—and tiny cones of hemlocks. I can’t help myself and pluck a cone from a low branch. It feels incredibly light and paper thin, almost soft. Gently, I place it in my pocket to take home.

As usual, fish school beneath the pond’s surface. I wonder if the leaves and needles bother them. If not, at least other animals in the area appear happy. All the squirrels and chipmunks have been very active today. I’ve seen at least one chipmunk, two grey squirrels and two black squirrels scampering about as if on a mission. I think they are gathering food for winter because they carry nuts in their mouths—although I can’t tell which kinds of nuts because rodents run so quickly. One squirrel, a black variation of the Eastern grey, skitters from grassy area to another, scratching the ground briefly before moving to the next spot. At first, I thought he might be searching for a place to store his nuts. But this I doubt because he would more likely store food in his nest in preparation for winter. Considering that Eastern grey squirrels don’t hibernate, I will probably continue seeing squirrels harvesting nuts and seeds so that they have enough to eat during the upcoming months. When I think about squirrels and other animals trying to survive cold weather, I’m glad to be human with a warm bed and grocery stores full of food at my disposal.