In late afternoons, hours before twilight, lakes get downright noisy.
Frogs begin to converse in the tules.
Birds in nearby trees, like families home from a hard day's work, fall into domestic squabbles. No doubt they were insulted by my intrusion, waddling into the hills, making a terrible racket. These gentle, stately creatures were standing in bushes not 30 yards away. They didn't move, just watched me cautiously as they chewed the leaves. The lake on this summer evening was brimming with wildlife, and I was moved.