Sunset on a calm lake
World Environment Day was celebrated around the world on June 5th. This day reminded me of the beautiful sunset on a calm lake which we experienced during our summer holiday, at Laclu near Kenora in Ontario, Canada. We enjoyed three weeks of lovely cottage life with my in-laws. We spent wonderful moments in nature as we soaked up the fresh air, sights, sounds and smells of the forest which I will describe below. I also observed some examples of man’s ever-present influence on nature. Why is it that we humans often destroy the very thing that makes it so beautiful?
At Laclu, I experienced the perfect sunset on a calm lake: as the sun was setting, there was not a sound, but for the cicadas and the occasional call of a loon in the distance. I watched calmly as my husband glided through the mirror clam water every so silently in his kayak; the sun setting behind him illuminates the sky with warm colors. The sky above the two tree tops of birch and pine was filled with a mixture of red, orange, peach, and pink, which glimmer in the reflection on the lake. From the deck outside, I observe a blue heron as he gracefully glides over the bay. Then a river otter dives for cover under the lily pads in the marsh. I watch eagles gliding from tree top to tree top as they search for their dinner in the waters below. I can hear the faint buzzing of mosquitoes in my ears, it’s been so dry here, so far, they are the first pests of the season.
Everyone has been waiting for the rain to come; every day we observe the level of water recede according to the lines which appear higher and higher on the rocks across the bay. This year the water level is extremely low. The normally green grass is dry, and turning yellow, it crunches underfoot as we walk in the fields of tall prairie grass. During our three weeklong stay, there was no rain and barely any dew on the plants in the morning. The fire department has imposed a total fire ban (which means no s’mores!) In addition, there are large forest fires in the far away province of British Columbia (1800 km away) but the smoke still blankets the sky and causes discomfort for several days.
Forest Walk
The next morning, we take a walk in the forest. The trail is covered in broken trees and branches which were felled by the strong winds the previous night. Instead of being annoyed or frustrated by the obstructions, the kids see it as an interesting obstacle course to overcome. So, they make it into an adventure game. I smile as I watch the three young cousins help each other climb over fallen logs and push through thick branches to the “next level” in this real-life “video game.”
During our walk through the forest, my son picks up a gnarly piece of driftwood. The look in his eyes says it all: this is my new tool! He then proceeds to bang on all the things he sees around him: a piece of dry earth, a rock covered in moss, a dead tree which he breaks to smithereens. Next, he spots a pine tree to bang on and shake. Immediately, the tress begins to scatter its dry orange pine needles which fall onto my hair and clothes. It’s a pain but instead we smile. “Ok that’s enough now. Stop hitting trees. We like trees. Let’s not hurt them” I say between giggles and laughter.
We sat on a bench in the forest and I ask my son: ”
-What can you hear?
-Birds and insect buzzing in my ear.
-Yes, and what do you smell?
-Trees!
– Yes, I smell trees too, the smell of the pine trees always reminds me of Christmas. What do you see?
– The blue sky, he replies pointing upwards.
– Yes, in the sky and I see the clouds floating by.
– The top top of the tall trees. We both gaze upwards together.
-Did you know that leaves fall off the trees? They are called deciduous and coniferous?”
But I lose him there, it’s a bit too complicated for a three-year-old. He reaches down picks up a dead leaf clinging to a small branch and exclaims with a twinkle in his eyes:”
-This is for the flag for my Pirate ship!”
The next day, we continue our nature walk, breathing in fresh air and observing the sights and sounds of the forest as we receive our well needed dose of vitamin Nature. My son picks up a medium size pale blue feather which appears to be from a blue jay. I wonder out loud: ”
-Did the feather fall off? Did the bird loose it? Was it eaten? Do birds shed their feathers? Was it pulled off in a fight for new territory or a mate?” (I’ll need to google when I get home…)
We spot a large piece of bark from a birch tree:”
-This looks like paper maman!
-Yes, I explain to my son, it was used as paper a long time ago. Maybe we could try to draw on it at home?
-One for me. One for maman. And a small one for my sister since she is a little baby.”
Hence, I am reminded to enjoy the precious moments as the kids do grow up to0 fast…
Out on the lake
In the early afternoon, when the sun is still hot and the children are quietly napping in the beds in the cabin, I love to swim across the bay all the way to a large rock protruding out of the water which the locals all call “Jumping Rock.” I appreciate it’s beautiful size and the interesting moss which covers its surface. This is the perfect place for a thrilling dive into the waters below. What a lovely feeling: to plunge into a cool lake on a hot summer’s day. It is at the same time refreshing and exhilarating!
A few days later, I bring my three-year-old son for his first kayak on the lake. I make sure he is snuggled safely in his life jacket as he sits on my lap and I paddled slowly through the calm waters. For a boy who is normally always on the move and can’t sit still, he is subconsciously understands that one needs to be relaxed when on a boat in the water. He is happy to just sit and observe nature: turtles on rocks, tall cattails, and lily pads in flower. We simultaneously reach over together to touch the smooth cold surface of “Jumping Rock” as we pass by in the kayak. We take the time to observe spiders sitting patiently in their webs.
The next day we take him out in the canoe. Our little boy is even happier now that he is be able to help maman and papa with his own little paddle. He splashes along happily and exclaims: ”
-Sorry maman!” when he bumps my paddle by mistake.
-He bursts out proudly: “I’m helping you!”
-We were a little nervous at first to bring such a bubbly young boy out on the water. When I instruct him to sit in the middle, he does not grasp the concept. So, I say:”
-See the line in the middle of the canoe? Put your bum here. He touches his bum and moves slightly to the right.
-Better.
-My penis?
-Yes, your penis goes in the middle of the boat too. Thank you. We paddle away from the dock. Splash!
-Oups! I’m wet.
-It’s ok. Your shirt will dry in the sun.
-Yes, the sun is hot today.”
We decide to take a shortcut and portage back home. Wanting to help as I struggle on the slippery rock, my little boy pushes the boat into the water a little too soon. Instead of sitting down in the boat, I fall into the water with a big splash! To my dismay, I fell out not once, but twice more trying to get into the boat from the shore. As the kayak started to drift away from the shore -leaving us stranded- I observed my son’s forlorn face. Then I heard him say under his breath: ”
-Ah! Fuck!
-Did you say fuck? I gasp in surprise (he’s only three after all.)
-He nods his head in agreement. I laugh inwardly and try to not show any reaction because I think he meant to say “Oh! No!” rather than the forbidden swear word.
-I guess someone has been spending a little too much time around Papa.”
The next day we set off in the canoe again. My son sits in the middle of the canoe. Papa is steering at the back and I am paddling in the front. We point out the interesting things to look at. The sun is setting behind us, so I set my expensive sunglasses -which I never wear because I am afraid of forgetting them- on top of my head. We observe the turtle sunning himself on the rock in the middle of the lake.
Bam!
I get whacked on the head by a little boy and his broken paddle.
Ouch!
Ploof!
There go my sunglasses into the water! It all happened so fast that I did not have time to react. When we turned back to look for them; the water was dark- and of course- they had to fall into the deepest part of the lake.
Dam! I liked those spectacles! How annoying:”
-Just try to get over it, reassures my husband, they are only material things.”
However, my son has a different idea: every 5 mins for the rest of the 20 minute canoe ride. He repeats with deep concern:”
-Where are your sunglasses mummy?
-Hmmm…
-Maybe a fish will find them?
-Maybe….
-Where are your sunglasses mummy?
-At the bottom of the lake.
-I’ll lend you my goggles and you can go find them.
-Thanks buddy. I’ll just borrow money from your college fund to buy myself some new ones.”
Man versus Nature
Back in Tegucigalpa, we watched the gardener spaying pesticide on the garden, on our front steps and even in the drain hole in order to prevent weeds from growing and to keep the pests at bay. Unfortunately, not only does this kill the cucarachas but also hinders the wasps and bees from building their nests and even ants from crawling around. There are no worms to fertilize the soil. When my mum was here for a visit she suggested that we go outside with the children and look for some bugs. But after 10 minutes we came up with nothing and had to abandon our search. There goes that nature activity! As soon as we spot a dead cucaracha in the house, management must be notified and the whole place is fumigated inside and out. But I wonder, which came first: the deadly mosquitoes or the strong pesticides which kills the pests and everything else?
Near the end of our stay at Laclu, we take a ride around the lake in grand-maman’s speed boat. The children are wide eyed and grinning at how fast we are going. They don’t seem bothered by the noise of the motor or the splashes of water as we speed by the properties around the lake. We slow down to observe a loon and her baby. When we return to the dock we hear the distinctive call of the loon from the other side of the lake. I like to think that he is wishing us goodnight.
Personally, I prefer to watch the sunset from the back of a canoe on a calm lake- as long as I am not wearing my expensive sunglasses!
In order for all of us to continue enjoying Sunsets on Calm Lakes; let’s start taking better care of our planet (reduce, reuse, recycle, repair.) Each gesture makes a difference.
Comments:
What gestures (big or small) do you do to help take care of our planet?