Nestled at the front of my property is a sad little pond that attracts an amazing variety of wildlife...herons, cranes, ducks, geese, an occasional beaver, deer, coyotes,  snapping turtles, cottonmouth mocassions and a deafening cacophony of bullfrogs. But my favorite would have to be the red wing blackbirds who nest in the cattails. They are defensive and loud, but a flash of those beautiful wings and all is forgiven. I had to paint one.