Cross Creek Polishing Pond

2025-06-06

Author

Lucas A. Meyer

Published

June 6, 2025

Caught in the act! This mouse knows fresh greens are the real breakfast of champions—because who says you can't start your day with a little salad?
Caught in the act! This mouse knows fresh greens are the real breakfast of champions—because who says you can't start your day with a little salad?
Blink and you’ll miss it—this snow-white egret is gliding into Monday with more grace than my morning coffee. Wings up if you’re ready to soar into the week!
Blink and you’ll miss it—this snow-white egret is gliding into Monday with more grace than my morning coffee. Wings up if you’re ready to soar into the week!
Ducklings in tow, this parent’s got the cutest little paddlers following every wave—because family swims are simply better together.
Ducklings in tow, this parent’s got the cutest little paddlers following every wave—because family swims are simply better together.
Heads up—these ducklings have mastered the art of synchronized diving, while mom keeps it classy and above water. Family goals: half adorable, half underwater adventure.
Heads up—these ducklings have mastered the art of synchronized diving, while mom keeps it classy and above water. Family goals: half adorable, half underwater adventure.
Who ordered the family swim? These Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are bringing their best paddling game—and the kids are clearly in it for the splash.
Who ordered the family swim? These Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are bringing their best paddling game—and the kids are clearly in it for the splash.
Hitting the snooze button like a pro—this heron knows self-care starts with a nap and a good hair day.
Hitting the snooze button like a pro—this heron knows self-care starts with a nap and a good hair day.
Who needs a runway when you’ve got a neck like this? The heron proves that striking a pose at golden hour is always in style.
Who needs a runway when you’ve got a neck like this? The heron proves that striking a pose at golden hour is always in style.
Neck game strong! This tricolored heron just redefined elegance—proving you don’t need a runway to serve looks and balance the wildest accessories.
Neck game strong! This tricolored heron just redefined elegance—proving you don’t need a runway to serve looks and balance the wildest accessories.
Caught staring? It’s just the brown-headed cowbird inspecting your picnic plans. Nature’s undercover food critic on the job!
Caught staring? It’s just the brown-headed cowbird inspecting your picnic plans. Nature’s undercover food critic on the job!
Did you hear that? This grackle just dropped the hottest track of the season—and yes, it’s all about stealing your snacks at the park.
Did you hear that? This grackle just dropped the hottest track of the season—and yes, it’s all about stealing your snacks at the park.
Heard it through the grapevine: this grackle’s got the juiciest gossip in the treetops. Who says birds don’t have something to crow about?
Heard it through the grapevine: this grackle’s got the juiciest gossip in the treetops. Who says birds don’t have something to crow about?
Heard the latest gossip? This grackle’s got the scoop, and he’s not afraid to squawk about it! Nature’s original news anchor, reporting live from the treetops.
Heard the latest gossip? This grackle’s got the scoop, and he’s not afraid to squawk about it! Nature’s original news anchor, reporting live from the treetops.
Caught the great egret practicing its treehouse game! Proof that elegance really does rise above the rest.
Caught the great egret practicing its treehouse game! Proof that elegance really does rise above the rest.
Ready for a little elegance in your feed? This great egret is serving major tall, white, and fabulous vibes—proof that nature always knows how to strike a pose!
Ready for a little elegance in your feed? This great egret is serving major tall, white, and fabulous vibes—proof that nature always knows how to strike a pose!
Can you spot the great egret showing off its tree-top real estate? Proof that the best views are reserved for those with serious wing power.
Can you spot the great egret showing off its tree-top real estate? Proof that the best views are reserved for those with serious wing power.
Did someone say “picture perfect profile”? This rabbit sure knows the angles—proof that sometimes, the grass really is greener on this side.
Did someone say “picture perfect profile”? This rabbit sure knows the angles—proof that sometimes, the grass really is greener on this side.
Stop! Bunny time. This rabbit knows the grass is always greener where you pause, reflect, and enjoy the little things.
Stop! Bunny time. This rabbit knows the grass is always greener where you pause, reflect, and enjoy the little things.
Blink and you’ll miss me! This clever little heron knows how to blend in, but our camera caught it striking a pose in the foliage—nature’s ultimate game of hide and seek.
Blink and you’ll miss me! This clever little heron knows how to blend in, but our camera caught it striking a pose in the foliage—nature’s ultimate game of hide and seek.
Spotted: a green heron serving side-eye and serious camouflage skills. Sometimes blending in is the boldest move you can make.
Spotted: a green heron serving side-eye and serious camouflage skills. Sometimes blending in is the boldest move you can make.
Ever seen a Green Heron on a mission? This sharp-looking bird's got its sights set on dinner—and style points for the perfect branch pose.
Ever seen a Green Heron on a mission? This sharp-looking bird's got its sights set on dinner—and style points for the perfect branch pose.
Who wore it better—your favorite fashionista or this stylish moorhen rocking red, yellow, and a touch of attitude? Strutting the wetlands like it’s a runway!
Who wore it better—your favorite fashionista or this stylish moorhen rocking red, yellow, and a touch of attitude? Strutting the wetlands like it’s a runway!
Caught mid-snack! This moorhen isn’t shy about flaunting its catch of the day—or those highlighter legs. Dinnertime just got a splash more stylish.
Caught mid-snack! This moorhen isn’t shy about flaunting its catch of the day—or those highlighter legs. Dinnertime just got a splash more stylish.
Spotlight’s on the great blue heron: master of chilling and stillness. Who knew patience could look this elegant?
Spotlight’s on the great blue heron: master of chilling and stillness. Who knew patience could look this elegant?
Who ordered the duckling parade? This mama duck is showing her little ones the art of swimming—and maybe some synchronized diving too.
Who ordered the duckling parade? This mama duck is showing her little ones the art of swimming—and maybe some synchronized diving too.
Stop and stare—a Common Moorhen just turned this pond into its own red-carpet moment. Who knew waterfowl rocked so much style?
Stop and stare—a Common Moorhen just turned this pond into its own red-carpet moment. Who knew waterfowl rocked so much style?
Family swim goals: these whistling ducks and their ducklings have mastered the art of synchronized paddling—and looking fabulous while doing it.
Family swim goals: these whistling ducks and their ducklings have mastered the art of synchronized paddling—and looking fabulous while doing it.
Who hit snooze again? This Great Blue Heron is serving peak “Monday morning mode” and redefining birdwatching as bird-napping.
Who hit snooze again? This Great Blue Heron is serving peak “Monday morning mode” and redefining birdwatching as bird-napping.
Caught napping on the job? This Great Blue Heron swears it's just "resting its eyes"—a true master of work-life balance.
Caught napping on the job? This Great Blue Heron swears it's just "resting its eyes"—a true master of work-life balance.
Feeling heron-tired? This great blue heron knows when to hit the snooze button. Sometimes, the best way to win the day is taking a break on one leg.
Feeling heron-tired? This great blue heron knows when to hit the snooze button. Sometimes, the best way to win the day is taking a break on one leg.
Bad feather day? The Great Blue Heron still rocks the windswept look—proof that confidence never goes out of style.
Bad feather day? The Great Blue Heron still rocks the windswept look—proof that confidence never goes out of style.
Ever wake up feeling like a hot mess? This great blue heron totally gets it—bad feather days happen to the best of us.
Ever wake up feeling like a hot mess? This great blue heron totally gets it—bad feather days happen to the best of us.
When you show up looking this fierce, even the sunrise has to step up its game. This Great Blue Heron knows how to work the runway—and the wetlands!
When you show up looking this fierce, even the sunrise has to step up its game. This Great Blue Heron knows how to work the runway—and the wetlands!
Blink and you’ll miss me! The Common Gallinule knows how to work the runway—and the reeds. Nature’s got style, you just have to look between the lines.
Blink and you’ll miss me! The Common Gallinule knows how to work the runway—and the reeds. Nature’s got style, you just have to look between the lines.
Neck game strong! This tricolored heron’s got style, grace, and a built-in scarf. Nature’s runway has never looked so chic.
Neck game strong! This tricolored heron’s got style, grace, and a built-in scarf. Nature’s runway has never looked so chic.
Neck game strong! This tri-colored heron makes wading through Monday look like an art form—proof that elegance is all about how you carry yourself.
Neck game strong! This tri-colored heron makes wading through Monday look like an art form—proof that elegance is all about how you carry yourself.
Moorhen gossip hour: when you need the latest pond news and your best friend’s ear. Nature's drama, starring these feathery chatterboxes!
Moorhen gossip hour: when you need the latest pond news and your best friend’s ear. Nature's drama, starring these feathery chatterboxes!
Who says only peacocks can strut? Watch this crow work the runway—proving once and for all that black never goes out of style.
Who says only peacocks can strut? Watch this crow work the runway—proving once and for all that black never goes out of style.
Who needs a penthouse when you’re a cormorant with a lake view? Sometimes the best spots are just a branch above the rest.
Who needs a penthouse when you’re a cormorant with a lake view? Sometimes the best spots are just a branch above the rest.