PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The waters have calmed after the spring floods. The gentle old river has returned and tinkles again over the rocks, laps rhythmically against the ancient, algae stained, stone walls.
I watch a pair of dippers, chocolate headed and white bibbed, diving into the flow and bobbing up several feet further downstream, beaks clamped contentedly on caddis fly larvae and water boatmen.
My beautiful summer friend; so serene I almost forget and forgive its cruelty and carnage when in torrent.
Except there should only be one dipper, hunting for the other that should be sat on eggs the flood washed away.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here
Michael Wynn 
Great descriptions, Michael. I could hear the ripples.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, it’s a lovely picture that just makes you want to write as descriptively as possible to hopefully do it justice.
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Love how you describe the water and it’s life. Somehow a river is ancient and young at the same time….
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Thanks Bjorn I think there’s so much inspiration in a river it has flowed forever and will continue to
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Thanks Bjorn. I’m pleased it’s worked like that.
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The words flow, just like your river. That last line reminds us of unforgiving strength of nature.
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Thank you. Nature can be cruel then put on an innocent face
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Even your title is well crafted! Lovely.
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Yes! Three points extra, merely for using the word ‘duplicitous.’ 🙂
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Thanks. Now I’ve got to find a suitably appreciated word for next week. Pressure on 😊
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It’s so much better than the humourous/irritating misusages I collect for an annual rant. I trade you, “I think I ovary acted to that.” 😯
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I like that, it sounds like something from Lennon’s “A Spaniard in the Works”
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Thanks Louise
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Nice descriptions!
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Thanks
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Your writing reminded me of walking the beautiful rivers of my younger days. I still love those rivers but their winter clothes can be more terrifying these days.
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Thanks Michael, it does seem it happens more often these days.
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Poor parents! Perhaps there’s time to lay another clutch of eggs?
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Hopefully. I just think it sad the loss of the birds investment when this happens
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Like the story, love the dippers.
In Scotland we have coots and moorhen, similar little dudes, and great fun to watch.
Apologies for the tangent, I enjoyed my visit!
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Thanks they are neat tough little birds
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should be sat (I think this should read “should be sitting”) As a bird lover I found this absolutely stunning. I heard the river, saw the dippers, smelled the algae. Kudos!
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Thanks. Birds always offer so much to write about. Sat or sitting might be a regional preference. Northern England I think would say sat.
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Cool! You learn something new everyday!
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Some beautiful descriptions, quite evocative. Nicely done.
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Thanks Sandra
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This is great, calming, beautiful. And in this idyllic nature scene you remind us of the tough facts of life. It is a constant struggle against the odds.
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That’s really nice of you to say especially as that means it works as I wanted it to. Thanks
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I loved this… turning the every day into poetry, really… Taking time to “smell the flowers” or watch the river!
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Thanks Dale
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Wonderful imagery in your story. Another example of how we should honor and respect nature. Nicely done!
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Thanks Caerlynn for your lovely comments.
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You painted a perfect picture with your words. I really felt like I was there. Beautiful imagery all round!
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Thank you
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Beautiful discriptions Mick and well written. I felt so sad for the lost eggs. Fantastic take on the prompt!
🙂
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Thank you. It can be a cruel old world.
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“My beautiful summer friend; so serene I almost forget and forgive its cruelty and carnage when in torrent.” Great evocative line.
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Thanks Perry
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A powerful, flowing piece of writing, Michael! Your sensory details were perfect. I could hear the river, I could see the dippers “chocolate headed and white bibbed, diving into the flow and bobbing up several feet further downstream, beaks clamped contentedly on caddis fly larvae and water boatmen.” Beautiful.
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That’s fantastic of you to say so, thank you very much. When I write I hope it works as I intended, but you never know until someone says it. So you can see how much your comments are appreciated. Thanks again. 🙂 I have a big smile on.
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Lovely descriptions, Mick. Nature takes a toll when spring begins. Mother dipper duck will lay again. Let’s hope that brood survives. We have a mother pigeon nesting on a windowsill who fights back. As soon as she gets one brood off and out, she lays another couple of eggs. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne
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