The vigil is over.
Daisy, perched in the window providing a straight shot view to the duck channel, has been patiently watching and waiting for days that have led into months. It has been a very long time since our friends left. Egrets and The Great Blue Heron departed with other snow birds last November. Some went south, some to more sheltered coastal Maine inlets. The ducks sought quiet nesting grounds the end of April and have just now returned. But they are all back and through our open window passes the "quack-quack-quacking" of Mallard families as they glide effortlessly on the glassy Back Cove tidal basin. Daisy responds in her own sweet Maine coon cat voice. Not distinctively a "Meow." It can only be described as animal kingdom communication. Not for me to decode....only to enjoy the unadulterated pleasure it bespeaks. "THE DUCKS ARE BACK!"
During the duck's absence all has not been still on or around the Back Cove. Along the Rt. 295 corridor, YARDSCAPE,
a low maintenance garden, has emerged from layout stage a year ago to fully planted, bordered and blooming. Set back from the high tide mark of the eastern shore flats, the winding garden footpaths are positioned at an elevation that makes one feel as though 
they are walking below sea level! I don't have the the exact grade elevation of this "unexpected" shoreline floriculture to affirm that "feeling," but it works for me to have a momentary sensation of "walking on water!"
In the center of this meandering landscape, one will arrive at center court, a clearing with a geometric configuration formed from Maine granite. Research requires that I investigate the meaning of this specific design....if there is any. Maybe it's simply geometric.
Further along the footpath I observe the Great Blue Heron standing guard on the bird rock situated just inside the channel connecting Casco Bay to the tidal basin.. His view; 365 degrees. He is motionless. Standing, watching, taking in and monitoring all movement. Nothing will get in harms way. On two separate occasions, sans camera, I have watched, mesmerized as this graceful bird stretched his neck and head and tucked it completely around and under a wing. On another, I watched as the feeding hour was in progress and the Great Blue Heron only had focus for food within range. My close proximity did not deter his primary agenda; hunting.
With or without water fowl, life's renewal is ever present in this Back Cove neighborhood. On the southern shore, an industrious person, finding magic in washed ashore sea scraps has created a dining El fresco scene, complete with an arrangement of wild ragweed set upon the table. Can you guess who's coming to dinner? We'll have to wait and see.Today, as with most days, it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood. A year ago I wrote three short paragraphs about a mystical walk I had on the footpath. It was the first MAINE MORNING DUCK REPORT. From that germinated a more expanded "Duck Report" and eventually the mainemorningreport BLOG. Thank you readers for your encouragement and support. Maybe, just maybe, there will be a birthday party El fresco. Watch for a cake with one brightly glowing candle taking center table on the banks of the footpath. See you there!
