Shimmering blue reflects the perfect sky. In defiance of the oppressive heat, the chilly stretch of water offers refuge to abundant life. Do you see it? Do you hear it? The atmosphere is palpable as the sounds of creatures fluttering around the waters edge reaches my ears long before I can see anything. Our home(stead) is like an oasis. Offering hope, refuge, comfort. Life. The animal, bird and insect life thrives here as the rains return. A robe of green carpets the mountains and the valley floor. The sight is indescribable. Around our freshly scrubbed dam the swallows dip low - a wing brushes the surface like a kiss. A frog plops into the waters and disappears. The air vibrates with the busy activity of thirsty honey bees. And for the first time - ever - we spot the rare Red Dragonfly!
The gentle breeze caresses the surface of the water barely causing a ripple. However to those delicate little Red Dragonflies it appears to be a gale! They clutch desperately to the ends of young lemon saplings. In their fierce hold on life I am reminded that humans too often also feel that what should be a gentle breeze threatens to sweep them into despair.
However in their determined hold they are not alone. Though rare there are literally dozens of these little Red Dragonfly flitting over our dam.
Sometimes called the Red-Veined Darter I prefer their nickname; Nomad. The binomial name is Sympetrum Fonscolombii.
They appear people friendly and did not disappear once we took our turn to cool off in the clear waters. The bright flashes of red across the waters are such a joyful sight.
