(Snapping Turtle - photo by Neil Barker - June 2023)
An early summer morning on Mud Lake, glassy smooth water.
Murky depths and slow movements help conceal something dangerous.
Staring up, staring back, what do we both see, what do we think?
I took this photo in late June 2023. I had been out on a small lookout platform early in the morning. I was looking out over the lake at the conservation area I visit hoping to catch a glimpse of hawks or eagles. I noticed some movement a few yards in front of my under the water and saw this Snapping Turtle staring up at me.
This was a little surreal. We were both staring at each other wondering what we were that morning. The Snapping Turtle perhaps seeing me moving slightly with my camera and wondering what I was: threat? unknown? Me: I was wondering what the Snapping Turtle was thinking.
"Staring up, staring back, what do we both see, what do we think"
Maybe it is like two mirrors reflecting each other. One mirror really.
Amazing that you over there in Canada and I in Oregon release essays so close in time recently. I however am up very early with mine, usually in the 1 - 3 AM time period before my morning services. You essays are published about 3 hours later I calculate. The time difference sure shows up in my groggy proofreading! I had to make some editing for what I sent out today. If you care, you can check out the Lux Umbra Dei substack page for the corrected version with my comment. Your essay and poem are as always, excellent!