It’s ten o’clock in the morning, and we are already drooping from the heat. The relative humidity is predicted to be 93% and the temperature into the 90’s as well. After spending the past weekend sweltering at a craft show in Rhinebeck, NY, Richie and I decide to treat ourselves to a day off down at the river. As we gather our bathing gear and Richie’s camera, our dogs familiar with this routine, take the cue and begin jumping about excitedly with anticipation.

The crown vetch that I planted in the meadow on the way down to the river about twelve years ago spans a vast area now and their airy purple flowers are abuzz with honeybees. The thick humid air is perfumed with its intoxicating scent. Crickets thrum amidst the tall ripening grasses, and a brown eyed susan is just opening her petals along side the well worn path, a sure sign that Summer has begun!

On days like this it is always a relief to take refuge under the shade of the large oak trees that line the river bank. I often feel transformed when I come down here. No matter what the day has brought, the river has a life of its own and I am suddenly drawn into its peace. Just seconds ago I was fractious and crabby from the heat, and now I am lulled by the sound of the river and this beautiful world with all of its shades of green.

I stick in my toe to test the water. It is brisk and delightfully refreshing. Crawdaddies scoot along the bottom hiding under the rocks as I make my way out to the center where the river bottom is gravel. We decide to go check out Forget-Me-Not Island, a little island that formed about 10 years ago. That first year it was a low gravel-bar covered with the flowers that became its namesake. Now it rises almost three feet above the water level and it is home to yellow flag, loosestrife, joe pye weed, peppermint, vervain, various grasses and sedges, and a cottonwood sapling or two. As always, I scout around hopefully for forget-me-nots, but they have long since disappeared. In the winter, this island is entirely under water and it is amazing that the fast current hasn’t scoured it away completely.

Continuing on a little further down river, large maple shaped leaves of the purple flowering raspberry veil the entrance of a tunnel that goes under the railroad tracks. A spring fed stream spills out over moss covered rocks where forget-me-nots bloom lavishly. Deep green mermaid hair clings to the rocks in the icy current. Richie becomes absorbed in taking photographs and not wanting to disturb him, I take the dogs over to a large established island across the way that is covered thickly with ferns, red osier and mature sycamore trees.

There is a large log that has beached itself along side of it that has been stripped bare and I have a seat on its smooth surface and sit quietly, admiring the peaceful view down river. Next to me in a calm pool, a group of whirligig beetles skitter and whirl on the surface of the water. A damselfly lights on a long slender blade of grass. It’s blue-green iridescent body shimmering like a precious jewel. Soon, it is joined by another damselfly, a little paler in color. Not knowing much about them, I wonder if they are romantically involved or competing for the territory? Clearly a drama of some sort.

I reach down into the river and pick up an almost perfectly round flat stone - perfect for skimming. It is a little slimy from algae which I rub off revealing its lovely blue gray color. I know that I could be the champion skimmer today with my lucky stone, but instead, I give it to Richie who has a pocket with which to carry my treasure safely home.

A River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis

A Superb Jewelwing Calopteryx amata

Ferns

Forget-Me-Not Island

Forget-me-nots