At the end of the trail is a shelter overlooking the golden grasses of the wetland and the river beyond. There is a telescope there as well and over the years, depending on the season, we have seen bald eagles, arctic swans, redwing blackbirds, herons, gulls, and egrets. Today there was a family with two young daughters taking in the view when we arrived. The girls, who looked to be about 3 and 6, chattered happily as they explored.
The oldest was using the telescope with her dad and the younger pointed out spiders and plants to her mom as she waited for her turn with the gadget. When at last she got to step up on the platform, her mother was mindful that we had been waiting a while. "We have to be quick in case these other people want to look, too," she told the little girl.
I saw an expression of disappointment cloud her face. "Oh, don't worry about us," I said. "You were here first-- take all the time you want."
Her mom smiled gratefully as she lifted her daughter up to the eyepiece. "What do you see?" she asked.
"A bear!" the little girl replied without hesitation. Then she looked right at me to check my reaction to her joke.
I did a broad double take and raised my eyebrows high. "A bear?! Well now I do want a look!" I said and stepped toward them.
"Oh," she shrugged, "it's gone."
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