Lucky for me to find Fred there
Looking through his telescope
Set up on the observation platform
Spotting the migrant shorebirds
He's talking to a younger person
Who also has a telescope to see
The subtle differences in the distance
Giving an impromptu lesson in identification
I get to listen and learn from an expert
Picking up on his palpable excitement
Seeing birds not seen there in twenty years
Thanks to the mudflats exposed by the drought
The younger person is effusively happy
Having just acquired their telescope
Thrilled to see two lifetime species
Absorbing everything Fred imparts
Thanks to being invited to look
Through these excellent optical devices
I see a sora and a stilt sandpiper
Sharing in the birdwatching camaraderie
Thanks to the existence of this place
Open space protected from development
The wildlife have a place of refuge
And people can enjoy a nature preserve
I would stay longer on the platform
But the sun will set soon on this day
So I set off to walk around the lake
Getting in my evening perambulation
