A Morning Stroll

This morning, in the hour between haircut and work, I decided to photograph the dragonflies and damselflies at Lake Cheston. When I parked, I noticed an elderly man with his dog. I recognized him at once: retired Sewanee biology professor Harry Yeatman, who with his wife writes the charming "Nature Notes" column for the Sewanee Mountain Messenger.

We strolled together across the lake, chatting about the flitting bugs, the weather, the paper, Joy dog, and photography. When we reached the metal bridge, Dr. Yeatman told me about his research into the identity of the yellow lilies about which he had written for the paper. We had a lovely time -- Joy curled into a comma mid-bridge; Dr. Yeatman enjoying the taunting and teasing of the dragonflies zooming between us; and me, listening and leaning out over the rails to photograph the flowers and the bugs. Soon, he and Joy dog continued their walk. He told me he didn't want to get home late, as his wife was making him lunch. "Salmon," he said and smiled. "Delicious!" With that, he headed into the woods.
Later, after work, I returned to spend more time trying to snap the little creatures, and although I got a number of decent photographs, I missed my morning companions. They were the precious moments of the day, and I didn't even take their pictures.