The narrow path on the northern side of the pond was muddy and slippery so she plodded carefully along the bank. A movement caught her attention. It couldn't have been ducks, they don't move so quickly, and they are not so brightly coloured. She found a spot where she could see through the reeds the action on water. A small flock of gulls slowly settled on the surface.
While absorbed in the graceful ballet on the water, she sensed movement behind her. "Gulls," she said without turning back.
"Indeed. Haven't seen them around the pond yet and I walk here quite often," said a male voice.
"Well, I saw two or three one day last winter." She turned around to face the man. "Quite a diverse life we have here. I even saw a grebe once."
"Yes, a great crested grebe. Saw it too. And to think they wanted to concrete the banks, thus destroying this natural habitat. Scandal!"
"I agree. To have a place like this practically in the middle of the city with all the wildlife, including frogs and dragonflies is priceless."
"Frogs... I could hear them some years ago but now I only hear the roar from the motorway. Ah, the progress... it's kind of sad how little consideration there is for the things natural."
"I can still hear the frogs all the way to my flat on summer nights. Noisy creatures but I like them. I really wish humans left the nature alone. The wildlife does have amazing ability to adapt to all kinds of maltreatment but there is surely a limit to that." She looks at her watch. "Oh well, I had better be going... things to do... Nice talking to you, bye!"
"Bye."
She left the pond followed by the soundless flapping of wings above.
