Summer is here for me. Not officially by the calendar, but I realized this morning it was time to make the shift. I’m a person of habits. I’m often awake by 5:30 – 6 AM, shortly after if not then. In recent months I get up, turn on the computer, take care of basic needs, and get back to the computer.
It has normally been chilly, and thus I didn’t mind waiting until afternoon to ride my bike. But, I have an ability that is both a blessing and curse. I can get so utterly caught up in my work that MANY hours can pass and I have no idea. Thus it is routine that I open my e-mail at 6 am, planning to do a couple of things, then go bike riding and off to a coffee shop to read. Then I will sort of “come to” about 11 AM or noon or later, realizing I’ve passed 5-6 hours in a blur of work that delighted me, but felt like a few minutes. Scary at times.
Today I was on my way there. I had gotten up later, nearly 7 and just at 8:40 I realized the forecast on KWMU was for a hot day. Why not ride earlier. Within minutes I was on my bike, wide brimmed straw hat on, dressed in a white tee-shirt to deflect the heat, and off to ride.
As I rode into the park I reflected that normally my summer pattern is to ride as early as possible, at times riding up Tamm Ave. toward the park in the dark of 5:30 AM. I resolved that would be my pattern from now on.
Despite my very late start – nearly 9 AM by the time I got to the Jewel Box, I was marvelously rewarded. I rode between Triple A golf course and the Jewel Box, as I do most days, keeping an eye out for golf balls. Then when I get to the baseball fields I turned into the grounds of the Jewel Box which has a paved bike trail. As I turned I saw a gigantic bird. I was shocked. It was a very large hen turkey, right out in the open. In the Jewel Box grounds there are quite a few trees, but it is mainly green space and there was a turkey, clear as day. I was amazed, but then I noticed so were the birds. I can’t imagine a turkey is in anyway a threat to the birds, which routinely attack (dive-bombing) hawks and owls. But, the birds had designated this turkey as an enemy and they were driving her crazy, diving at her and she was freaked out. Then to add to her horror, I rode my bike across the grass to get a better look. She took off like a shot. Dang, turkeys can run!!! And she crossed the street to the golf course, headed down the hill and disappeared into a woods on Triple A, me in hot pursuit, the birds giving up.
That’s the first turkey I’ve seen in 2005. I was delighted. I can’t wait now to get over there just as the dawn is coming and see what other critters I see. The overwhelming bulk of the “odd” critters I’ve seen (possum, coyote, turkey, owls and raccoon) have been seen in the very early morning. Hopefully if all goes well I’ll be there tomorrow before 6 AM.
I then rode down to the lowlands and the wetlands and across my very favorite wooden bridges by Steinberg Rink. Another huge feeding fest was going on among the fish, and then, while watching that, I realized the cause. Yesterday’s brief but vigorous storm.
The water was filled with a thin layer, in strips, of lime green seeds off some trees. I turned and studied all the trees in the area, but I couldn’t find those seeds. But clearly yesterday vigorous storm had deposited them there. They float. And dozens of schools of small fish, catfish and small sun perch, were in huge schools at the water’s top feeding on these green moss-like seeds. It was neat. Even a couple of lone turtles were coming to the top of the murky water to eat the green stuff.
And the red-wing black birds were again, as so many day, very busy trying to drive off a small red-tailed hawk. I giggled at the hawk, imagining it trying to cash in on these schools of fish at the top of the water. It would be like us eating popcorn in a theater. It would need a whole box of them to make a treat.
I wasn’t finished with critter fun. When I crossed the bridge just up the way, approaching the huge fountain in the pond that is next to the road leading out to the Chase Hotel, a large group of 12-15 gigantic geese wanted to cross the bike trail from the river system to the lake with the large fountain. I saw them in the distance and no one else was in sight, so I slowed to a crawl. The lead goose started across, and then I approached so very slowly, prepared to stop. My goodness, the lead goose and some of the others were looking at me like “get any nearer and we’ll attack!” They were ominous. I stopped and let them pass.
Riding on just a bit farther I did see lots of turtles already out on the sunny longs.
That was the end of my critter fun today. I rode over by the very quiet Muny Opera grounds. A few folks were their getting tickets. Nothing like Friday and Saturday. I’ve already reported on the massive crowd on Friday which turned out to be season ticket holders exchanging tickets. I went back on Saturday and the crowd was much larger. This time it ran to the east from the ticket counters in the middle, and up the side bay all the way to where the seating is, up the hill some.
The workers have fully laid the stage on the east end for the pre-opera shows, but the picnic benches still have not been delivered and put into place.
I twice circled the Grand Basin, basking in the glorious bright sun of this still cool morning. As usual a golf tournament was going on across the street and I rode that trail, chatting with golfers, complimenting the better shots, keeping my mouth shut to the duffers.
I had my current book with me and was too early for Forest Perk Café, so I rode out of the park, down to Taylor and Arco to the marvelous coffee house: La Dolce Via where I got my normal “bottom-less coffee” and one of their wonderful fruit berry scones, the best in St. Louis. It was getting quite warm and must have been 10 AM, but I sat outside in the shade and read until afternoon.
By the time I was riding home it was quite warm and I broke down like a wimp and turned on my air-conditioner when I got home.
However, I’m now resolved: the change over has come. From now on I’ll try so very hard to discipline myself not to turn on the computer when I awake, but brush my teeth, wash up, get on my biking gear, grab my bag with book, reading glasses and note book, and take off, hopefully getting on the road at or near first light, or, at the latest, at early dawn. I’m much more likely to run into fun critters. I’ll keep you posted.
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