THE SMALL RANGERS

Episode 7 — The Nest

The first Tuesday of September began quietly.

Walt was already at the east dock. He ran WATCHFUL’s stern rope through one paw. “Dry.”

Ellis came down the path carrying the ranger log. “North landing,” he said. “Map box.” He opened the notebook and wrote: North trail map box inspection. He closed the log.

Walt pulled the starter cord. WATCHFUL’s motor caught on the first pull. He rested one paw on the engine while it warmed. “Good.” Ellis climbed aboard. They headed north.

The morning had begun to cool. A few yellow leaves floated along the shoreline ahead of the boat.

They tied WATCHFUL at the north landing and followed the trail toward the map box.

Ellis reached for the little wooden door. Then he stopped. The door stood open just a quarter of an inch. He opened it no farther.

Inside, the folded trail maps had been pushed toward the front of the box. Behind them sat a small nest woven from fine grass, moss, bark strips, and dry leaves. Five pale eggs rested inside. Speckled reddish-brown.

Neither of them spoke.

Walt waited. Then he leaned forward just enough to see inside. “Wrens.” Ellis nodded.

He opened the field notebook and wrote: North trail map box occupied by Carolina wren nest. Five eggs. Do not disturb. Then he gently eased the little door back until it rested against the frame again, leaving the same narrow opening.

They walked back toward WATCHFUL. Neither of them hurried.

At the boat, Walt opened the stern locker and lifted out the spare cedar map box they kept for trail repairs. Ellis was already gathering the fresh trail maps.

Together they carried everything back up the path and stopped about twenty feet from the nesting box, beside the trail marker post.

Walt fastened the spare box to the post with two brass screws. Ellis filled it with fresh trail maps, two sharpened pencils, and the week’s trail notice.

Beside the original map box, he fastened a small sign.

Notice

North trail map box temporarily closed for nesting wrens.

Trail maps are available in the temporary box on the marker post.

— The Small Rangers Pine Lake Ranger District

They stepped back. There wasn’t much to add.

By early afternoon they were back at the east dock. Walt tied WATCHFUL to the second cleat and checked the stern rope one last time. Ellis slipped the notebook back into its canvas case.

Back along the north trail, the little wooden door still stood open just a quarter of an inch. Inside, five small eggs rested quietly behind the folded trail maps.