Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
_____Christina Georgina Rossetti
Certainly across the US you've likely heard of the Santa Ana winds that cause California's summer wild fires. Before the fires, this is a fine example of, "The wind is passing through". Before it begins, your skin may begin to itch and some people feel irritated or edgy (the ions are changing). Before dawn you may hear the howling wind and tree limbs hitting the house...with sunrise you see the shadows on the walls of the leaves in motion. You open the back door, and both wind and heat strike you. Wind chimes clang and tinkle... The lawn is littered with branches and the pool fills with leaves...and cat plates...and aluminum food pans...and ducks... Can you see the movement across the water? That's the footprint of the wind. Bad hair day? We got 'em!
Perhaps you'll remember this when you hear of the next wind-whipped fire and understand how it can happen. Sadly that's the downside to life here along the coast.
@seattle left a comment which reminded me I was going to let everyone know the ducklings have not returned... My friend who had sent the original message said she'd seen them first, walking away from our house toward the big park, when they turned and came here. After a couple of days now, I wonder if they aren't heading back there. Join me in wishing them Safe Travels, and if I see anything, you'll all be the first to know!
I have been in California during the winds and driving through the passes... scary at times. So the ducks are still living in the pool...where are the babies?
@seattle Thanks for mentioning that! I meant to put it in the caption! I have not seen them since arriving home :( I spent the day with Tracy who'd sent me the message, but we think she's walking the ducklings back to the big lake-filled park about 2 major streets from here. I was so hoping for photos, but *of course* wish them safe travels!!!
@digitalrn Interesting how most people think it must be horrible to live under the threat of earthquakes. Knock wood, but to date, I've only been in the situation where I found them "interesting". The fires are wretched and destroy so much... That's what I always hate to hear about...
@pyrrhula@june@judithdeacon Everyone has had their snow to talk about & photograph...this is "our weather". I'm glad you found it interesting. It happens in other parts of the world but by other names. I stepped out a short while ago and "the quiet & stillness" struck me immediately (at 1:30 PM)...but the heat is with us still...
Enjoyed your narrative and poem. I always hear about the Santa Ana winds but never knew much about the experience. The mallards look like they're enjoying the pool. Beautiful shot with the framing!
@cimes1 In Florida you have the humidity that would keep them away. They're hot desert winds that come from inland. Mallards are just happy where there's water! (aside, I came down this morning and heard "clanging" outside. The round aluminum pan was empty and the duck was lifting & dropping it! I poured food into it, and he was hot on my heels to get to it! (You don't think they're spoiled, do you?!)
@Weezilou Thanks for giving us her site. She has documented this sad event for us to get a feel of what is happening. You are right, this is the downside to beautiful southern California.
May 17th, 2014
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