Creek Deer – Photo: L. Weikel

Creek Sightings

I managed to snag about 30 minutes beside my beloved Tohickon Creek earlier today. I love to sit there and write whenever I have a chance. But some days I just end up sitting and staring at the water as it flows and tumbles around and over the rocks. Today, while I was staring at the page as opposed to the milieu, I glanced up and noticed swirls and ripples in the water where it’s usually quite calm. Leaning forward, I gained the first of my two creek sightings today.

The first creatures I saw were these two deer. They must have descended the rocky forested hillside and crossed the one lane road just behind my car.  When I leaned forward to see whether the ripples were being caused by something above or below the water, I saw these two tromping and splashing through the creek.

I took a little video of them, but I don’t feel like posting it on YouTube. So the still I took of them once they got to the other side will have to suffice. They looked to me like they were just past fawn-age, teenagers perhaps – and they were certainly acting the part – playfully clattering their way to the other side. They didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

Spotted Sandpiper

The other one of my two creek sightings today was what I am guessing was a Spotted Sandpiper. It’s the best identification I can come up with. It definitely reminded me of the sandpipers I used to see running along the beach up on Cape Cod, when I was a kid.

But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sandpiper around here before.

Nevertheless, from my Peterson’s app, it looks like it’s at least a possibility. They apparently do tend to enjoy hanging out in environments such as creeks. But it seems to be getting a bit late in the season.

I’m a little frustrated that I couldn’t zoom in on it any better than I did. It is tough to see its markings. The way it ran along the rocks and into the shallow parts of the water did remind me, was reminiscent of what I believe were Lesser Sandpipers (at the Cape).

I’m grateful to have experienced these visitors today. I feel lucky to have shared some precious moments with all three of them.

(T-70)