The Naiad of Porter Bay

Burlington, Vermont
44 28.25 N 073 12.78 W

I've written before about the flora and fauna of Porter Bay.  Next to Valcour Island, this is just about the most pristine place on the lake. One thing I didn't write about was the woman we spotted year after year swimming across the bay and back.

The woman swam far and swam powerfully.  I estimate her round trip distance at about 1.5 to 2.0 miles.  That's very much further than I can swim.  Anyhow, she makes quite a sight on her daily circumnavigation of the bay.

On the 4th of July, I spotted her once again.  I waved.  This time she waved back and then swam over to say hello.   I learned that her name is Jerry.  It seems improper to speak of Jerry as part of the flora and fauna, so from now on I'll refer to her as the Naiad /ˈnāad/ of Porter Bay.

The Naiad and I swapped observations about the after effects of the extremely mild winter just past.   For one thing, this year's goslings are much larger than normal for this time of year.  For another, the sea weeds and (unfortunately) algae grow bigger and faster.  There are also more mosquitoes.   Porter Bay is just north of Otter Creek, and the major agricultural nitrogen load enters the lake at Otter Creek and flows south.  The Naiad said that despite warnings, she has seen no evidence of algae here in the bay.

Sorry, no picture.  Nymphs, gnomes and trolls don't like their picture taken.  You'll have to be satisfied by this watercolor by John William Waterhouse (1849–1917).