The river split for the jump of a red-gilled silver salmon, then circled to mark the spot where it fell. Spoonbills shoveled at the crimson mud in the shallows, and dowitchers jumped from cattail to cattail, frantically crying "Kleek! Kleek!" as though the thin reeds were as hot as the pokers they resembled.
The scene depicts a vibrant moment in nature where a red-gilled silver salmon makes a dramatic leap in the river, creating ripples that mark its spot of entry. This imagery sets a dynamic tableau with the involvement of various birds, such as spoonbills, that are actively interacting with the muddy shallows, showcasing the liveliness of the environment.
As dowitchers flit between cattails, their urgent calls of "Kleek! Kleek!" add to the sense of urgency and energy in this natural setting. The comparison of the reeds to hot pokers suggests a feeling of discomfort, perhaps reflecting the intense and vibrant life occurring in the wetlands. Overall, the passage eloquently captures the raw beauty and interconnectedness of nature's elements.
