I'm not very good getting birds in flight -- and hummingbirds are always in flight, so these pleased me. Maybe someday a camera fast enough to "freeze" the wings!
I get a big kick out of watching our ducks. There is a delightful family that comes by regularly, swimming together and then stopping on the beach to forage whatever it is they look for there!
But sometimes just the mama ducks hang out.
I love it when they do their synchronized swimming moves!
Duckrobatics! A perfect 10!
These guys count as nature and sometimes as pests! As long as they hang on the neighbor's beach or the middle of the lake, I can admire their majesty. Come too close and we have words!
Sometimes we go to the Elk Park and check out the action. There wasn't much the night we were there. These were all taken with the zoom and the elk was about two or three blocks away.
Still, he's quite remarkable, with his fuzzy antlers.
I'll have to go back when he's closer to the fence.
We also saw some of the white deer but they move pretty fast!
Nature is more than a bit domesticated here, but no one will deny that the little nipper Lizzie can't be a wild woman now and then!
I leave you with one of up north's nature spectaculars.
A perfect sunset.
Sharing today with: Saturday's Critters / Pink Saturday
Notice to the world of Birders and Ornithologists: Based on this series of picture by Jeanie Croope, especially the stellar shots of Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the said Jeanie Croope is hereby elected to the Hall of Honour of Certified Bird Nerds with full rights and privileges, and shall henceforth be known as a Bird Brain of the highest order. No greater honour could be bestowed on anyone.
ReplyDeleteThe elk is quite impressive!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a perfect sunset!
ReplyDeleteYou've shared some wonderful photographs here.
I especially like the hummingbird on your hanging petunias.
Have a happy weekend.
All the best Jan
Loved your pictures Jeanie. Also you made me laugh about the duckrobics. LOL.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying a fun time at the lake. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
The white deer looks like he has moose antlers!
ReplyDeleteLove the duck water ballet. :-)
That water makes things look so cool and summery! We could use that! Love your nature scenes. Great sunset!
ReplyDeleteHummingbirds are so delightful. We have a feeder with perches. They actually will stand on the perch to drink so we can get a good look at the tiny things! Ducks are so fun to watch. It really does look like they synchronize. The elk are stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow, I did not know we have white deer up your way! Very impressive but They must stand out in deer season. Judging by the photos you take, what you love about nature are the same things I love.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to go to this special place...and to stop to look at the amazing animals, AND, to create such beautiful photos to share with us!! The ducks with their tales up: Priceless!!
ReplyDeleteHad a laugh at the duckrobatics, they are very funny :)
ReplyDeleteThe hummingbirds are like our honeysuckers, far too fast to catch them.
Beautiful sunset photo Jeanie!!
Wonderful pictures. I especially liked the elk and the humming bird - we don't get them here. And I have never seen white deer here. Have a fun weekend, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos. I can see the hummingbird's wings and duckrobatics are so entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing wonderful photos
Now this is a stunning picture, this really goes as a top-postcard with the hummingbird!
ReplyDeleteAnd the duck family is cute, too, bottums up :-)
So much nature and wee... ths last shot made me awww...
Jeannie!! WOWZA!! Such wonderful photos!! I especially loved the ones of the Ducks and chuckled at the Duckrobatics!!! And the Elk were amazing!! I have never seen an elk! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for visiting!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
I love those dabblers! They're such fun to watch, and they're clearly skilled at their "work." For a moment, I thought you had those elk just wandering your neighborhood. Now, that would be something to cope with!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the heartwarming scenes of mama duck and her children. Happy Sunday to you.
ReplyDeleteOh the ducks w/ their bums p:) And that first hummer pic..I am in a awe of nature..always..How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh wow...look at the cool sites you see at the lake. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous photos! I love how you savor and then share your time at the lake.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to enjoy seeing all that wildlife, and got photos too.
ReplyDeleteDuckrobatics... Love it!
Loved your nature inspired photos today, dear Jeanie. I can't come up with clever thoughts today, because others have given such great comments already. Just know I think these are fabulous photos and wonderful shots of your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanie! Awesome critter post. Your hummer photos are lovely. I like the elk and the white deer. Lizzie is a pretty kitty. Your sunset capture is beautiful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend. PS, thank you for the visit and comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, Jeanie, I love your nature photos! The ducks made me laugh out loud--just the sweetest captures! The hummingbird photos are spectacular! Well done. And the elk--what a treat to view! I hope you are all better now, my friend.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos Jeanie. That hummingbird one is amazing. And elk. We don't even parks with elk here. Life on the lake looks good. Hope the ear is doing better too. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteLovely at the lake for sure!
ReplyDelete“Nature gifts” are daily, even around here, without a lake at our front door.
Loved the synchronized robotics . . . great catch, great comment.
So Lake Time extends into August??
I hope this finds you feeling better and free of your pesky springtime “stuff!”.
Stay well my friend!
Jeanie, love, love your hummingbird photo. We have had one visit this year from time-to-time. They don't seem to be in town like they used to be. Your sunset photo is glorious and I do love your precious kitty.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you, Jeanie.
I thought the hummingbird shot was going to be the winner, but then the great photos just kept coming! All beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow cool to see our Michigan elk and that white deer! Never saw one myself yet...the white deer that is. Janice
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! I've never imagined a white deer...how beautiful! And I love the flowers AND the hummer! Every photo is pretty enough to be printed and framed! WOW!
ReplyDeleteI just read what David G wrote....high praise indeed! WOW!
ReplyDeleteAw! The lake is wonderful! I love the duck dunks!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I love your photography especially the hummingbird and the magnificent sunset! It seems that geese are pests everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThe white deer is so lovely! Such relaxing scenes to be sure. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI just spent time catching up on your posts from the lake, Jeanie, and won't be able to comment on all. Glad that Rick is able to get back to his cycling, even if the long trip does make you a bit nervous. I enjoyed reading about the books you are enjoying and may add Jacqueline Winspear to my "someday" reads list. Right now I am reading the latest Donna Leon mystery. The cherries looked so colorful.
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful wildlife pictures, Jeanie! I like the hummingbird one, of course, but also the various ones of the ducks are delightful, with a touch of humour. The last photo is idyllic! I haven't been online much but will soon respond to your email now that I am home!
ReplyDeleteDuckrobatics?! I love the name, it's hilarious. The ducks are so cute. I like all the pictures you've posted, including the sometimes-wild-but-usually-domesticated Lizzie. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the synchronized swimming shots! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteJenna
A beautiful post, Jeanie. Oh those bottoms up ducks did make me smile! Love the hummingbird what a stunning picture - perfect for a Pink Saturday winner I'd say!
ReplyDeleteWren x
White Deer?? I love the duck-aerobics. It looks tranquil and lovely at the lake - hope it wasn't too hot.
ReplyDeleteLove all of your nature photos, especially the synchronized swimmer ducks. Lol. Up north Michigan! I am a Michigander too. :) We usually go up north every summer but I don't think we are going to make it this year, although I hope we do. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThat sunset is gorgeous, as are all the nature pics! I love the synchronized swimming duck photos! Too funny! I love watching ducks, too. There is a mama duck that comes up on my parents lawn at the lake to eat food by the bird feeder and the daddy duck escorts her. It's so cute.
ReplyDeleteI got to see a peregrine falcon yesterday when I was doing a conference call in an office at work. It landed on the window ledge and stayed there for awhile. I had a hard time focusing on the call because I just wanted to stare at the bird. It's wing span was huge and it had the sharpest claws! It was cool to see up close like that!!
Be still my heart with the hummingbird. What a special bird it is. I always see them hovering over the petunias. I loved the picture of the three ducks dunking in the water haha. Do you not like the geese? They are one of my favorites and I see them often here. How magical to see a white deer. I've never even heard of that before.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Jeanie, there certainly is a lot of beauty at the lake. Love the synchronized swimming session..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThe hummingbird picture is stunning. So lovely with the petunia's. Love the elk and even the ducks, especially with the babies. Your sunset is also a stunner.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous!!! Great pics! I think your hummingbird shots are spot-on, Jeanie. Amazing clarity in all your animal photos... <3
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the lake,
Barb :)
And, yes! The Duck Olympics is perfection!!!
ReplyDelete;)