Joann Merritt's Essays

Harris’ Tank, Ad Infinitum
July, 1990

Can anything improve a big juicy barbecue sandwich from the Spraberry Store? Mary Frances, Don and I sat in the shade of the huge cottonwood trees at Harris’ Tank, a brisk southeasterly breeze keeping us cool while we ate and observed the interesting pond life there.

A flotilla of forty whirlilgig beetles were the first to attract our attention. These silvery black insects are oval, the size of watermelon seeds. They looked like miniature surfers riding ripples on the windswept surface of the water. Whirligig is a good descriptive name for these active beetles. Their antics are similar to the shriners mode of riding in a parade, their three wheeled vehicles criss-crossing each other’s path but never colliding. Allen explained later that whirligigs have hairs on their bodies that trap air, then a film of water covers this trapped air giving them a silvery appearance. In this manner whirligigs carry an extra supply of oxygen if they need it while submerged. One whirligig was jet black, not silvery at all. Perhaps it had alopecia or was a youngster who had shaved his head to “make a statement.” Fifteen small ones about the size of cantaloupe seeds were whirligigging towards the edge of the pond. A large beetle which we identified as a water scavenger rested on vegetation in the water. Without breaking the surface tension of the water a spider was able to move swiftly in the calm shallows. Small minnows swam and dashed about, sometimes hiding in the moss and algae.

The most beautiful display was the colorful dragonflies exuberantly patrolling the pond, especially when the wind ceased and the sun started shining. Several of the large dragonflies were bright orange. A pair of hot pink dragonflies fairly sizzled as they moved through the air. Some had ice blue wings with black markings. There was a pair of small rusty orange dragonflies and one golden-hued individual. These dragonflies were busily chasing each other and depositing eggs in the water. The females accomplish this feat by dipping the tip of their abdomen in the water as they hover momentarily. Numerous bluet damselflies alighted on twigs with their wings folded against their bodies. We observed the blue males and brownish females mating and laying eggs on aquatic plants. Small metallic green bees came to the tank and paper wasps floated on the water.

Barn Swallows drank as they skimmed across the pond. A male Golden-fronted Woodpecker called from the tree directly above us and was soon joined by a family of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. A Turkey Vulture soared overhead. “Whistling screams” were heard as a Western Kingbird landed on the back of an immature Swainson’s Hawk and proceeded to peck the unfortunate hawk on the head. Its screams attracted another hawk and they both deferred to the wishes of the Kingbird by retreating to distant fence posts. Bobwhite called, announcing their intention of coming in for water.

In answer to my opening question, said sandwich can be improved by being eaten in the proper atmosphere. In a previous story I stated that we were not through discovering nature’s wonders at David and Cathy’s ranch, and I repeat that statement.