The wetland that grew around the pond over the past decade is buzzing with life. Gaillardia is blooming, drawing native bees and butterflies, like this field crescent (Phyciodes) sharing a feast with a striped sweat bee (Agapostemon).

The developing tadpoles are fascinating. They’re gaining shape and color, splashing around at the surface, and when I zoomed in on this picture they look translucent. And they seem to be sipping air – look at that little tadpole mouth!

I wish Wren had shown more caution creeping up on the garter snake; it’s perfectly harmless, but her curiosity could be dangerous with some other species.

And I wish I could end tonight’s post right there, with the simple joy of wetland creatures on a hot summer day. As I sat there this morning I remembered the phrase “all’s right with the world” with sadness. It wasn’t this morning, and it most assuredly is not this night. The madness out there just keeps escalating, accelerating. But down at the pond, absorbed in the pace of nature, there is respite for minutes at a time.