[Trade] Spring Orchestra

The sun, whose warm rays tenderly enveloped the entire archipelago as if to comfort it, peered gently from behind the clouds. The white, billowing formations tried desperately to overshadow this steadfast, comforting astronomical giant with their power, but the sun was too determined to let them win – it had been sunny without interruption since morning.

Ricochet watched this silent battle with undisguised interest, feeling the gentle spring breeze ruffle his brown and cream feathers. The male could not stand still – the warm March air was brimming with the promise of new adventures and discoveries, so it was hard to ignore. Intrigued by this new energy, the cryolophosaurus had been roaming the surrounding area since morning in search of something – anything – that might provide him with unforgettable memories. So far, unfortunately, he had not had much success. The area where he lived was soothingly safe, but also rather boring as a result. He had little chance of encountering even another dinosaur here – someone who might add a new charm to this, already fully explored, place.

The absence of what he had been hoping for most meant that Ricochet began to pay much closer attention to other things. Although he couldn’t expect any breakthroughs in terms of other members of his species, the surroundings of his territory were far from monotonous. His territory (quite extensive for a young male) was varied and consisted of forests, clearings and meadows, as well as a small but exceptionally fast-flowing stream. Each of these places had much to offer.

With the arrival of spring, the landscape had changed beyond recognition. What had until recently been covered in glistening, compacted snow (though Ricochet liked the sound of the snow crunching beneath his feet, he had to admit he wasn’t built for winter conditions; his not particularly thick, short feathers didn’t protect him very well) was now in full bloom. The ubiquitous greens, yellows, oranges and reds were almost overwhelming to eyes accustomed to the white monotony, and the male’s nostrils were assaulted by a myriad of complex scents. But there was also something else that had changed dramatically – the sounds reaching his ears.

The most obvious difference was the multitude of birdsong – until recently so limited by the biting frost. Now, however, the birds’ courtship season had begun, and the bachelors, excited by spring, were doing everything they could to attract potential mates with their behaviour. Ricochet, hearing these songs brimming with new energy and determination, chirped cheerfully himself, imitating a bird with surprising skill – he had potential.

The next thing to catch his attention was the ubiquitous buzzing of insects. No wonder – the vast, grassy meadow where he found himself was densely overgrown with various species of plants. Many of them were in bloom, and the colourful petals and sweet-smelling blossoms were the perfect lure for pollinators. So swarms of insects – bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, flies and beetles – were buzzing around Ricochet. If viewed from a distance, one might think the air was shimmering with multicoloured, moving sparks.

The last thing that caught his attention most was that small stream which crossed his territory along its eastern border. Due to its rather unimpressive depth, the winter months froze it over almost to the very bottom. Ricochet took this with considerable displeasure. In the warmer months, the fast-flowing stream was one of his favourite spots – he always managed to find something interesting in the area (some new, unfamiliar creature or an unusual-looking plant…). During this visit, the cryolophosaurus could tell from a considerable distance that the good times had returned – the winter ice had finally melted under the pressure of the life-giving spring sun.

When this news reached him, delighted Ricochet broke into a run (all the while frantically trying to dodge the ubiquitous insects swarming around him on all sides). March brought with it the return of that pleasant, soothing sound – the murmur of flowing water, echoing off the rounded, smooth stones at the bottom of the stream. The thaw brought with it yet another change. The stream, once so narrow that the male could barely fit in it, had now burst its banks, creating a small, young-grass-covered pool.

Ricochet, initially somewhat sceptical (though the temperature was rising with each passing day, he wasn’t sure if it was quite time for a swim yet), quickly warmed to this slightly altered landscape. The return of his enthusiasm was no accident – amidst the shimmering water and greyish stones, the brown, feathered male spotted something that immediately caught his attention. Small, greenish creatures, their damp skin glistening.

He had seen something like this before – frogs!

Cryolophosaurus approached the small, intriguing creatures without fear. Their brownish, bulging eyes glinted yellow in the sun, following him with their dark pupils. Before Ricochet could bring his snout close to one of the frogs, it snapped its mouth open and let out a strange, buzzing croak. The male jumped back instinctively.

Ricochet chuckled to himself – after all, he had nothing to fear; it was just a tiny, completely harmless amphibian! What’s more, an amphibian which (apparently somewhat startled by that sudden movement) let out its battle cry once more.

The amused male couldn’t hold back any longer – the arrival of spring filled him with too much excitement. Ricochet also croaked, trying to imitate the sounds of a frog. No such luck – he sounded more like a demon from hell than a harmless amphibian. Well, he’d have to practise that sound a bit more!

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