Joann Merritt's Essays

Thunderstorms
June, 2005

Nature has always been my refuge and my joy. It thrills me. There’s nothing so magnificent as the feel of a gathering storm. I’m filled with the enormity of that sensation, the strength, the drama, the earth filled with lightning, the roll of thunder, nature all around. I adore storms.
Lady Bird Johnson

Don & I drove south on Mildkiff Road the day before Spring Bird Count to check out this part of our assigned territory when we experienced a thunderstorm that was just as Lady Bird Johnson described so well. Additionally small hail pelted us as it performed an impromptu harem-scar’em dance on the pavement.

The opening act of this drama was a gorgeous display of at least 35 species of wildflowers along the roadsides and in the adjoining pastures. Round mounds of pink Plains Penstemon, tall Wild Honeysuckle, white Lazy Daisies and numerous yellow composites were at their best. To quote Lady Bird Johnson again “Where flowers bloom so does hope”.

When the skies cleared and the sun came out so did the birds. At two places on the road there were small puddles of rainwater and the birds were taking advantage of the opportunity to bathe - the pavement had probably warmed the water! Lined up on the fence waiting for their turn in the hot tub were Phyrrhuloxia, Cactus Wren, Mockingbird, Lark Sparrow and even a Cassin’s Sparrow. Vehicles soon came along and broke up the Pavement Pool Party. Although I don’t have a quote from Lady Bird Johnson on birds, Bird is a part of her name and I’m sure they are included in her statement “Nature has always been my refuge and my joy.”