Its a 75F day in Seattle -- the warmest day of this spring. I am back out on our dock. My latest past time has been to watch all the bird life that lives in the wetland around the lake. I have been incessantly amazed by the 5 eagles that live on a tree right next to the condo. There are 2 bald eagles, 1 osprey and 2 other eagles. They fish in the water and bask in the sun on the tree. I cannot seem to get over watching the steady flight of the eagles, their gentle swoop, fast turn and then a brisk brush with the water (i saw this just as i was typing this sentence) to pick up a fish. Periodically, they drop a fish, then swoop back down to pick it up from the water -- but sometimes the fish escapes! I read all about it while growing up and have watched it on the Discovery channel but seeing it for real, beats it all.
So, what has this got to do with speedboats and jetskis?
On this 75F sunny day, all of this bird activity is accompanied by human activity -- in speedboats and jetskis. They are zooming around -- like you see on the Travel channel -- soaking in the warm sun, drinking beer, tanning themselves, living the high life. Except that this high life seems to be disturbing the birds and the fish. I am watching the eagles having to dart the speedboats on their downward swoop to get the fish. I am wondering what the fish are having to deal with. I have seen the fish jumping out of the water -- I think they do that at this time of the day. The froth and movement of the boats must be disturbing all the surface fish that want to jump out of the water. They must be darting around trying to dodge the weaving jetskis, terrified and stunned by the sound, the fumes and the violent movement of the water.
There used to be a time I longed to get on a jetski -- it was fun, the thrill of feeling the speed, the cold water touching my warm body. It doesnt seem as much fun any longer. It seems like I should be able to have fun in a way that doesnt disturb other living creatures. I wonder if I will feel exactly this way the next time that someone offers to take me out on a jetski .....? Will I forget all that I have felt and seen today? What will heighten my senses again? I wonder ...
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