Joann Merritt's Essays

The Perfect Lifetime Gift
May, 2001

Jesse’s Pond is a never-ending source of pleasure. I have assured Grandson Jesse that he need never give me another present, the pond is for a lifetime. I’m convinced that every birdwatcher needs just such a pond that can easily be seen from the confines of their homes. Confines is my choice of words for having to be indoors.

113 species of birds have been attracted to the pond - you knew a list would be forthcoming - and they range in size from the tiny Black-chinned Hummingbird to the Great Blue Heron. The hummers entertain us when bathing by first perching on the flat rock’s edge where they splash vigorously with their wings, tilt backwards a bit to allow the water to flow over their tails and in a final fit of cleanliness move to the center and dip their heads in the bubbling water fountain.

Like a hunter stalking his prey the Great Blue Heron approached, crouched and then actually jumped down into the pond to catch a goldfish. Keep in mind that the pond area is only 3 x 5 feet. With his prey held crosswise in his bill the Great Blue calmly sashayed behind the well house carrying his fish (formerly known as our fish) which was visible on both sides of his bill as he departed. It ceased to be fun when he ate all our fish as well as the numerous replacements we purchased. He’s gone now and we have more fish so all is well - at least until he returns in the fall.

One late Sunday afternoon in May a magnificent Great Kiskadee perched above our pond. He knows a good thing when he sees one! Here was a chance to catch fish for supper, have ripe mulberries for dessert and birders to admire him. Looking like a cross between a large kingbird and kingfisher he is quite gaudy with a huge black and white head, bright yellow underparts and rufous in his wings and tail. Normally found in the Rio Grande Valley, the bird seems to be spreading north according to an article I read, which also stated that the Kiskadee is knocking at San Antonio’s back door.

When we recently had our trees trimmed we asked the workers to leave a dead limb that hangs over our pond because birds use it for a perch and this bird did just that. I’ll keep watching Jesse’s Pond although I can’t imagine any bird topping the Great Kiskadee, but never say never!

P.S. On June 3rd a Groove-billed Ani attempted to top the Kiskadee by not only appearing but also performing his peculiar hopping and disjointed tail wagging maneuver. It was a good try, but his efforts were in vain, the Kiskadee wins!