The Magical Lily Pad Pond

We rose about a half hour before first light. As we put on our warm layers and lifejackets, the first light creeps over the hills. We push off one by one in our blue kayaks, there are only three of us on this excursion to the lily pad pond. We paddle across the calm bay to a little inlet.  As we creep along in the clear channel, a flock of Merganser ducks squawks by us. Very slowly and quietly we enter into the lily pad pond.  

The pond is misty and full of huge green pads loaded with yellow flowers. The center of which contains swirls of orange and black. We hear an eagle over head. Ever so gently, we glide across the pond scanning the water’s edge and look into the woods for wildlife.

Suddenly we see a little red fox, it sees us and is not bothered, but instead begins to hunt for breakfast. It hops along the bank, over and across fallen trees. Then it pounces, catching a vole. As we continue to watch the fox, a great blue heron swoops down on the beach. The heron struts through the marshy edge, stretching its neck with each step and scanning the water, looking for fish. As we twirl through the lily pad pond in awe of our surroundings, our senses are aware of something large walking deep into the woods. Twigs snap and shadows dance while the sun shines light on Mount Moran. What will we see next?

As we slowly head for the inlet, a doe elk jumps out on the shoreline. It looks at us and runs back into the woods. More branches snap, it must be the elk making all the noise. Then a huge bark echoes across the pond causing the water to ripple and me to nearly fall out of the kayak. It’s no elk barking, but a black male bear letting us know it sees us. We float through the lily pads and wait a little longer, there’s no sign of an emerging black bear from the woods. It stays elusive, teasing us with its sounds but never showing its face. We paddle on, excited by the life we saw and those that hid from us.  Upon reaching camp, coffee awaits us and we get to share our morning adventure with our family and friends. Thank you lily pad pond for the magical moment.

Written by Ali McNabb