Ripples and waves and splashes

Here we have a kind of fuzzy general impression, finishing with a three word descriptor.

Everywhere there were crisscrossing wakes of ripples and waves and splashes.

Storm Boy(1963)

Did you notice something about the finish? There’s no mention of the birds! It’s just how the water is affected by their presence. But it’s enough to convey the feeling of the scene.

  • rippled and flapped
  • stood up and clapped and cheered
  • bathing
  • splashing and sousing and swishing
  • turned into
  • gargling and gurgling and blowing bubbles
  • above / on / under 
  • half on / half under 
  • diving into it / climbing out of it
  • starting to take off / coming in to land
  • running, flapping, pedalling
  • braking, splayed out, ski over

...and the passage hasn’t finished yet!

Here are some examples.

All around her was an impatient chorus of complaints and side remarks and abuse.

The footy field was a crazy carnival of bikes and beards and heavy metal.

Write your own variation.