He who from zone to zone doth guide my flight,In the long way that I must tread alone,
Will lead my steps aright.
(Wm. C. Bryant)
Three years ago Christmas, two Trumpeter Swans found their way to Boxley mill pond. It caused excitement in the human bird world because these birds are only known to winter one other place in Arkansas. They stayed the winter and returned to their summer home in early spring.
Christmas Eve 2006, as we were going down for Jack Henry's first Christmas in Little Rock, we spotted them as we drove through the valley. This time they brought their young cygnet. Two days later, the male was killed by a predator, probably a raccoon or coyote. But the mother and her young stayed for the remainder of the winter--calmly going about doing what swans do as people watched and snapped photos from the edge of the road.
Would they return this year? We, as well as other folks watched Christmas week. Many of us do get excited about this. On the 27th, my friend, Regena, told me that Bill had reported seeing FIVE white swans swimming in the mill pond as he drove to work that morning! Wonderful! The swans returned, bringing more!!! It is comforting to know that swan life goes on after tragedy just like in the human world.
What made them choose Boxley Valley is a mystery. Maybe they found refuge and comfort in these mountains just as many of us have.
