Morning on the Landing

I sit on the landing, watching the mirror still water. The ground & wind murmur all around of impending rain, but as I watch the lake surface, there are no droplets, simply buds & leaves carried by the wind. Out beyond the cove the river current begins to flow but it is smooth in my corner save for swirls & jumps from below. The other day, a slider was on the water's edge, where I sat on the landing. Despite my dog's sniffing & my taking pictures, he was a friendly little guy who never once hid his face from us. This morning, however the only signs of a turtle I see is one little head bobbing along off shore. I wait & I watch. The wind begins to blow the river current around the bend into the cove. The kingfishers begin their frantic chattering as the hunt for their morning meal...& then I see the familiar wake...the tiny head of the beaver makes his way around the bend, heading right for me. He is joined by his mate for their morning exercise before heading in for the day's rest. As they near my perch, my dog shifts a little causing him to do a somersault & disappear below the surface. No alarm from his tail to warn his mate. Could this be a pair of muskrats? They do look small. 12 minutes later, as the current is making it's way towards me, he reappears & I clearly see the outline of his flat tail. This is my beaver & despite the passage of time since last we shared the morning together, I pose no threat to him. He keeps a distance & continues his play. What an amazing way to start the day! Thank you, Jesus ! Thank you !!!!