Hello friends,

A Midweek Escape This Wednesday, I decided to break up my routine with a visit to a new park. I’d heard it had a serene pond and plenty of wildlife, and it seemed like the perfect spot to recharge in the middle of the week.

A Sign of Caution The moment I arrived, the calm atmosphere wrapped around me. The pond sparkled in the sunlight, framed by trees whose branches seemed to dance in the breeze. It was a picture-perfect setting—until I noticed the sign.

“Alligators and snakes present,” it read. I took a moment to steady myself, reminding myself that wildlife encounters are rare if you stay cautious. Still, I couldn’t help but glance around nervously.

Feathered Beggars Soon, my attention shifted to some unexpected, feathered company: Muscovy ducks. But they weren’t on the water, where I’d expected them. Instead, they waddled right up to me, their glossy feathers gleaming in the sunlight. They surrounded me with eager eyes and gentle quacks, clearly hoping for a snack.

Unfortunately for them, I had no food to offer—and even if I did, the park sign made it clear that feeding wildlife was prohibited. I felt a little guilty as they followed me briefly before giving up and moving along. Their persistence was both endearing and a little comical.

A Chorus of Nature As I walked further, I heard the chatter of wild parrots overhead, their vivid green feathers flashing in the sunlight as they flitted between branches. Squirrels darted across the path and up the trees, pausing just long enough to eye me before scampering away.

Grateful for the Quiet Thrill Though I stayed alert for the alligators and snakes mentioned on the sign, I’m happy to report I didn’t encounter either. That said, I couldn’t fully shake the nervous energy that came with knowing they were somewhere nearby. It added a little thrill to the tranquility.

A Walk to Remember By the time I left, I felt lighter, calmer, and more connected to nature. The ducks, the parrots, and even the hint of danger made it an experience to remember. And while I’ll return for another walk soon, next time I’ll make sure to brush up on how to handle unexpected wildlife sightings—just in case.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

All the photos in my posts are taken by me, copyright (c) @artmom.

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