Saturday, July 25, 2020

Postcards from the Lake: Butterflies and Birds!

I have to admit, it's lovely to wake up each morning and nature is right outside the front door. Start with a beautiful view...


...then add a duck (or two of more!)


The Quackles (family of seven) are getting quite big. I have noticed a second family, the Duckles (family of eight), but they are less frequent visitors.


The Quackles, meanwhile, seem very content to swim in front of the house and settle on the beach.


Mrs. Q is continually vigilant. She knows there is a bald eagle on the lake and she's going to be quite sure nothing happens to her brood.


And when she says "March," off they go.


We've had some major storms and on this day the ducks sat peacefully on the beach as the dark clouds and thunder rolled in, along with the heavy winds (see the whitecaps on our small lake?).


There seem to be fewer seagulls this year (even in the grocery store parking lot).


But when they fly, they look so very elegant!


The beautiful beach butterfly is back. 


These two flickers seem to hang out quite a bit together.


And this is the juvenile -- almost as big as mom and dad!


When evening comes, the curtain comes down with the sunset a grand finale.


Life is wonderful at the lake.


Even if you're a cat! (One of nature's greatest creations!)

49 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Aw! It seems super wonderful, Jeanie! I love the smell of water and the sunset is such a sweet lullaby!
Quack! What gorgeous ducks!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Lovely shots of nature and the lake. I love dragonflies!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That butterfly is amazing! WOW! I've never seen one with so many colors. You have the Quackles and I have the Grackles today! heehee! Happy weekend!

Rustic Pumpkin said...

You certainly have a beautiful place to ride out the storm.

My name is Erika. said...

Beautiful photos from the lake Jeanie. It really looks like a nice place to escape and relax. And here we are in the heat. Off to the lake for a swim this afternoon at my MIL. She is leaving to go to a bridal shower in Maine for my husband's sister's daughter. I'll call her my niece. I was invited but too many people for my comfort zone. Over 20. I would have gone if there was 10 or fewer. But anyhow, as I digress, at least no one will be at the lake except us so that will make a nice afternoon on the dock. Take care and enjoy. Love those duckies. Hugs-Erika

bobbie said...

Gorgeous pix, as always!!

Karen said...

Beautiful pictures! I loved my visit to your lake this morning ~ Warmed my heart. You are surrounded with beauty and I'm glad your enjoying it :)

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Love your photography. The dragon fly is amazing as are the butterflies and of course, your kitty cat.

gigi-hawaii said...

Your photos always cheer me up. Beautiful shots.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great photos. I love the fuzzy looking baby ducks. Fantastic ominous sky over the lake. Your cat is beautiful: great green eyes.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I like the cute names you gave your duck families, the Quackles and the Duckles. The ducklings are adorable. It is great to see this all right out your door. Pretty dragonfly and gull capture. I love the Flickers, they are one of my favorites. The Monarch is a beautiful butterfly. Sweet kittie photo! The sunset is gorgeous. Wonderful post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day,wishing you a happy weekend!

anno said...

There's just something about being on the water. Add in the Quackles and the Duckles, plus sightings of beautiful butterflies and other avian friends, and it sounds like you have everything a person (or a cat!) could need to restore equanimity and good humor. Happy summer, friend -- glad you have this interlude to enjoy.

Sandi said...

Beautiful!

Bella Rum said...

The Quackle kids will be teenagers before you know it. They grow up so fast. Sigh. I really enjoy your pix.

Karen said...

I'm missing the lake something fierce. We had a family of loons, both parents and THREE young, and a family of four ducks. Our ducklings were quite big. At one point two of them got on the opposite side of the dock from the other two. Well what a ruckus! The parents came flapping in all in a panic, but sorted out the situation quickly.

Mae Travels said...

All I can say is: ENJOY!!!

be well... mae at mae food.blogspt.com

Susie said...

Jeanie, I loved all the pictures. You do see some wonderful sights at the lake. Your cat is pretty. My daughter had one that looked so much like it. Blessings to you and Rick, please stay safe. xoxo, Susie

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

What fun, Jeanie, to meet the Duckles and the Quackles, and what large families they are wise to social distance as well. I would also enjoy taking photos of the little ones and the mom duck is wise to keep a protective eye on them because an eagle would surely like a duck dinner (sadly). A nice sunset to end the day.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie, the darling Duckles and Quackles gave me a smile seeing how amazing mothers take care of their young. I'm sure you enjoy seeing them grow up. Enjoy every moment in your lovely getaway.

gretchenjoanna said...

I love dragonflies, but rarely see them. Your lake-y summer with the ducks and butterflies looks lovely. I'm planning a getaway in the mountains in several weeks, but for now I'm having mini-vacations of about one minute, many times a day!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Life is certainly good at the lake. I* can tell you are enjoying your time there with Lizzie and nature.

Linda Sue said...

I am living summer through you!

Terra said...

Love the Quackle family, the lake so close by and the blue dragon flies.

Gata Collins said...

Beautiful moments of life!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful photos from your happy place, you are lucky to be there in the midst of ll that beauty. Hugs, Valerie

Anu said...

Beautiful.

Joanne Huffman said...

Excellent photos. It's good to see your lovely views.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am glad to see that your Mallard families are doing well. Jeanie. They won't all make it, of course, but the bigger they get the more chance they have of become handsome adults. It has been a flicker week for both of us. Last evening on our walk we saw adults feeding young at the nest cavity. A family of recently fledged Blue Jays was nearby too.

Mereknits said...

I am now dreaming of Northern Michigan, the smell the beauty. Thank you for sharing with us because I can assure you Florida is hot, humid and not near as lovely. Stay safe.

The French Hutch said...

Everyting looks so peaceful at the lake. Beautiful images of nature. You certainly have the perfect spot to enjoy the summer and Mother Nature's sunsets.......Beautiful!

La Table De Nana said...

A lovely life♥

Pamela said...

Especially if you are a cat and the cat’s person!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, this was a lovely post. I know you treasure all your moments at the lake - it is beautiful, even the storm and white caps.

I so enjoyed the ducks, birds, and oh, the butterfly. Just gorgeous, not to mention the dragonfly. We seldom see one here.

Keep the photos coming, enjoy your lake days - summer is moving along. Have a great week!

Vagabonde said...

Nature – this is what we all need right now, it’s good for our soul. Thanks Jeanie to take us virtually to your beautiful lake.

shoreacres said...

I love your names for the duck families, and that photo of them on the shore with the approaching storm is really good. Despite the storm down south, we've got sunshine just now -- I'm sure there will be more feeder bands of rain soon. I'm pretty sure your dragonfly is a damselfly. This Familiar Bluet is a Michigan native, and it certainly seems to match. In any event,the color is gorgeous!

DUTA said...

I too am a lover of B-s and B-s (Butterflies and Birds).The colors of those in your post are a balm to the soul.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Beautiful photos. I always think of ducks' lives as calm and peaceful. Maybe not, if you have to be vigilant for bald eagles!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I'm always so happy next to water. Add in birds and butterflies and it's paradise

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

This post makes me even more excited for our week at the lake. I love the slow pace of life at the lake. There is nowhere to go and nowhere to be. Everything you could want is right in front of you! Of course we will bring lots of groceries and such with us so we don’t have to go anywhere. Love seeing all the duckies! Paul would be in heaven!!

Sketchbook Wandering said...

Absolutely thrilling, your images, and your experience there!! The Quackles and Duckles...you tell a delightful story...And the others too...and the kitty portrait is stunning, did you pose her, LOL?!

Red Rose Alley said...

That's a pretty dragonfly. I've never seen a blue one before, they're always green. I bet there's so many interesting critters you see at the lake daily, Jeanie. Those seagulls are sweet, aren't they? Jess sees dozens of them at the ocean near her house. That sunset photo is simply beautiful.

~Sheri

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Fighting AT&T along with everything else, what I wouldn't give for a day at the lake. Thank you, Jeanie, so beautiful..Stay well..xxoJudy

Lowcarb team member said...

You've shared wonderful photographs here, I enjoyed seeing them all.

All the best Jan

Pam Richardson said...

I always look forward to your postcards from the lake. The birds and butterflies offer much enjoyment as they go about their daily lives. What a wonderful place you have to enjoy nature and summer!

Divers and Sundry said...

Your nature views are wonderful, so peaceful and with such a variety -from the scenic sunset to the little dragonfly!

French Ethereal said...

Jeanie, I'm glad you've got back out to the lake!!! The ducks look happy that you are there. We have a good crowd of babies over at the pond and the manmade lakes where I walk near our home. I'm sure there are less seagulls since there was no one around to feed them/have food left at their campsites/in the parking lots.

Enjoy the lake and summer walks! Glad you are getting out. <3
Hugs,
Barb :)

Marilyn Miller said...

You captured my attention just in the first sentence in waking to nature. How peaceful and gorgeous that would be. I have never seen a young flicker. Love, love dragonflies and butterflies. We are trying to attract them to our garden this year with lots of milkweed. Then fuzzy ducklings would be sweet too. Enjoy!

Little Wandering Wren said...

My last visit to Paris was just before this fire at Notre Dame - still so shocking that so much was destroyed.
I always love Paris, this is a lovely trip down memory lane or should I say rue francaise!
Wren x

SingingRiverSoulSpa said...

Lake-life looks lovely.
And life-giving:)
Enjoy these last sips,
Jennifer

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