Postcards from the Lake -- Geese, Ducks, Bees, an Eagle, and maybe a Loon?

When I'm home, I usually have to go to the Ditch to see wildlife, apart from a bunny or two. Up at the cottage, I need only look out the window at the right time and see dozens (yes, literally) of Canada Geese.

 

I can't say these are birds I adore on the beach! They're very dirty and it's a constant rake-up of goose poo.  But they are fascinating to watch and really quite beautiful.

 

The other day I counted 80 (yes, not a typo) resting on the neighbor's beach and then at some difficult to decipher signal, all ambled to the water and began their swim. 

 

I found it interesting that many of these geese are still quite young. Their markings aren't fully developed yet, unlike those down state. Rather, they are a mix of gray with slightly golden heads.

 

 They seem to love it on the beach of the big house next door, and for the most part they know the boundary line! They also seem to have some sort of pecking order as to who is boss. This particular group seems to have four to six adults and lots of young'uns. 

 

They're very content to rest on the beach in the sun, then go indulge themselves with the neighbor's grass. (These neighbors have moved; otherwise he'd be out with his loud goose-chase-away thing. As for me, when them come on my beach, I walk out, clap my hands and they hit the water!) 

 

House for Sale. Comes with pets.

 

They also seem to have their own squabbles. I apologize for the camera work on this short video, but you get the idea.

 

I've only seen one duck family so far, and again, they are "behind schedule" in the growth department. But they're awfully cute.

 

When I head to the backyard I'm likely to encounter a bevy of bees enjoying the clover. You have to be careful where you step!

 

Now and then you see something that surprises you!

Yes, that's a groundhog! I immediately thought of Jenn and the Freds (as she calls them at Crumbly Acres). That was a first for the lake.

 

Another first -- my first Monarch butterfly of the season. At first his wings were tightly closed as he enjoyed eating whatever it was he saw on the beach.

 

But finally, a shot in flight. (I dumped about 14 photos of sand and sky as I tried to follow him with my camera! 

These will have to do!

 

And, when I look up several doors down, you can sometimes get a good glimpse of Eddie the Eagle. 

 

We were having dinner and I happened to look at the tree where he often is. I couldn't really see an eagle but what I saw was a dark blob I thought might be a nest. It was, in fact, the Eddie's back.

 

Zooming in, what a sight! These birds are so magnificent and so enormous. I have to thank my zoom on my little pocket camera. These were taken nearly four lots away.  

 

  Give me your over the shoulder look, Eddie!

 

Another rare sighting -- a loon. I rarely hear them and see one even less. He was tricky to identify till I zoomed in and saw the markings!

 

 And finally, there is my favorite "wild critter" of all!

 

Inside only! 

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