Postcards From the Lake -- Autumn Walk

Signs of fall -- and no one can deny we aren't into fall -- are emerging and showing themselves on my lake walks. Early red leaves circle tree trunks.

 

A Day at the Ditch

I hope you are in the mood for big birds and creatures because we're off to an amazing day at the Ditch!

So, settle back, have a seat on the bench and enjoy.

Summer at Home: Harry and Robbie

If I am at home, I will visit the Ditch. And if I visit the Ditch, I will probably encounter my Big Bird buddy, Harry the Heron.

He was in a particularly lovely setting in one of the most recent visits. 

Just Marching On!

Time marches on! And so does spring. Or almost spring!

From Kate McNenly's 2021 "Birdiferous" calendar

A few nights ago, I passed by my front door as I was going down the hall. I glanced out and saw the silhouettes of three deer, poised at the foot of the driveway, walking down the street. I was wide awake and thought I was dreaming.

The deer are moving about and so are the bunnies. I've counted five already and more to come. The birds are going crazy and I expect to see some nest building soon. 

On the home front, there's a bit of critter action, too. The other day, Lizzie was pawing at a piece of the rug that wasn't tucked under something, along with a piece of tissue paper that had dropped while I was cleaning up earlier. I thought it was just cute cat antics. But later, when she kept staring at the same spot, and then dashing to another, I knew we had an uninvited guest. Eventually, she sussed out a baby mouse which I managed to catch under a cup and deposit safely outside and down the block. If there is one baby, there are more. We are on guard.

The Canada geese and ducks are settled in the ponds at the ditch. I need to see if geese have one mate alone, because I have noticed they seem to be in twos, more or less in their own parts of the pond, and I wonder if it is a male/female/mating thing. 

If so, we'll be seeing plenty of goslings soon!

They're pretty scrappy if anyone invades their territory, as you can see by that splashing going on! 

The redwing black birds are back, a sure sign of spring.

Also spotted, a pair of doves.

This one has such a sweet face.

Then there was this handsome fellow.

This guy wasn't so handsome but a welcome addition to our Ditch creatures. He's been chopping the icy snow from the path that isn't melting despite our unseasonably warm temperatures (60s). The temps are dropping this week into the 40s, where they'll stay for a bit. He's been working hard -- he said he wanted to go running with his son on the path and several areas were dangerously slippery. He did us all a big favor!

I'm seeing signs of life in the bulbs and branches at home, but at the Ditch, the ice is still on parts of the pond and the faded blooms on last season's growth are dried but still lovely in their way.

On the home front, I've been cooking a bit. This recipe by Jean of Delightful Repast was tasty and easy! It's a dessert version of Toad in the Hole.

I've been reading a lot and started this wonderful New Yorker jigsaw puzzle.

It's a tough one. The pieces are tiny and a 'very close fits,' which means you're sure you've got it -- but you don't! I'm glad I like the design because I think I will be living with this one for a very long time.

Finally, I had to say goodbye to Rick's Covid hair.

I'll miss it!

 I feel so encouraged to see signs of spring. It hasn't been a hard winter here, but it feels like a long one. I'm slowly venturing out into the world again, and not without anxiety. But in time all shall be well.

Meanwhile, I watch the birds, the bunnies, and look out for mice!

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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!)

Early Autumn at the Ditch

Fall is definitely in the air. It is less than a week till the equinox and the changes are obvious. I wake in the morning and it isn't light yet -- or at least bright light. Rick's bike rides end earlier. There's a decided nip in the air, even when the days warm up. And of course, I see signs in nature. Changing leaves, more egrets at area ponds. It's early autumn.

At the ditch I've noticed the ducks are far more plentiful. I suspect all those babies of the spring are now gathered with their parents and siblings.

They seen to have two or three spots where they cluster -- a hill by the big pond (above); a spot by a narrow pond...

...and a shady place by the second pond.

Even on the cooler days, they are clearly enjoying the water!

They're not the only ones. I was lucky enough to see not one but two deer in the large pond.

They were so very beautiful -- seemingly unafraid of those who had clustered to take their photos.

But most definitely aware.

They seemed to be munching on something in the water -- the lily pads, perhaps?

I stood and watched them for a long time, until they moved off toward the woods.

I'm seeing more colors in the leaves...

...and the berries seem to be bursting with bright flashes of red.

I've only seen one egret at the ditch, but we've met up several times.

And of course, Harry is still here...

...but just for awhile. Ah, fall.

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Postcards from the Lake -- A Little Bit of Nature

One can't argue with up-north Michigan for a look at some nature, especially when you are right on the lake. I was so delighted when a hummingbird decided my hanging petunias were it's cuppa tea!

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.

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