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.

Down at the Ditch

I wanted to get in another "Ditch" post before taking off to the lake at the end of the month. My most recent walk brought about a lot of blooms -- and a lot of ducks.

 

This mama duck has two babies, quietly nestled in the area by the water at the edge of the woods. 

A Little Bit of Everything -- Friends, Flowers, Ditch and Gratitude!

Today, a smorgasbord of life in general! A bit of fun in the yard, productive time, a wonderful restaurant "make-good" and fun with friends.

 

First of all, the restaurant. I mentioned our surprisingly awful dinner back in this post. (And thanks for the support on that! I think most of you must have had a similar experience and could empathize!) Several of you mentioned "I hope you let the restaurant know about this" and yes, I did.

A Few Kinds of Critters!

The Memorial Day weekend and the time leading up to it brought a couple of species of critters into our lives. First, it's time for new life down at the Ditch. When I saw a marvelous photo by our neighborhood nature photographer, I knew I'd better get down there before all the babies grew up! And I wasn't disappointed!

Postcards from the Lake: Wet and Wildlife

Anyone coming to Northern Michigan over Labor Day weekend in search of the last warm, sunny days of summer would be woefully disappointed. 

Days have been cloudy at best, rainy at worst, with gale-force winds at times. It was a grand opportunity for sweatshirts and fleece. When it was calm enough to be on the porch to paint,  I took advantage!

That hasn't stopped our duck population from gathering en masse. You could see them coming in from all directions! 

This is the Quackle family, I'm quite sure. They always travel together. Mom is a beauty! 

Nor has it stopped this sweet sandpiper from exploring the beach. (At least I think that's what it is from my bird book, with its winter look. Any other ideas out there?) He was quite busy hunting for whatever food it was that he might find on the shore.

 Eddie the Eagle was in full hunt mode, too. Another fuzzy photo -- one can only crop so much!

 

Rick got a bike ride or two in and on one ended up with a flat and a problematic spare. On the way to rescue him, I saw this duo. Their fawn had hopped away before I could get a photo. (They look like statues, don't they? So still!)

But  I was rewarded on the way home. Isn't he a sweet one? 

This is a sweet little wild cat too!

My cooking exploits have involved making quarts of tomato sauce, with more to come.

We also enjoyed peach/pear/pecan crisp, thanks to a wonderful haul at the market, combined with the thoughtful gift of a neighbor (who had peach and blueberry crisp left at his door.) In both cases, I don't measure the fruit. I just cut it in chunks to fill much of my baking dish and add a sprinkle of cinnamon and juice from half a lemon topped with Ina Garten's crumble.

 I mentioned a bit of painting time. Mostly I've been working in my practice book.

But I did get that flicker painted that I saw earlier this summer. I might do him over. Pleased but not thrilled!

Meanwhile, someone has been keeping us delighted.

 She won't be so happy when she is tricked into complacency and then shoved into her carrier box for the ride home!

Postcards from the Lake: A Few Birds and Other Assorted Wildlife

I breathe a sigh of relief when after not having been at the lake for a week or so, I look out and see the Quackles -- all eight, plus Mom -- hanging out on the beach.

We've had quite an array of ducks -- the other night I counted a group of 25 on the shoreline between our house and the one next door. Duck Covid party waiting to happen.

And I finally got a not-great photo of the elusive bald eagle that seems to have at least two favorite trees -- two doors down, either way. I've seen the eagle often, mostly when I am out swimming (it's fascinating to watch him fish.) But I rarely have my camera and he flies too fast for me to get it. Trust me, even though you can't see his white head and yellow beak, this is Eddie!

Here's a very fuzzy photo of him in one of his favorite perches. Look for just his white head sticking out of the branches on the upper right of the photo.

Another rare sighting on our lake is this loon. He was floating along, far from shore, on a beautiful day.

I love loons and this was a real treat for me. He's more elusive than the eagle and moves more slowly! As he went by, he was singing his loon song, which I find incredibly beautiful and haunting.

One of Harry's cousins dropped by to pay us a visit at twilight. 

He was having a grand time strutting in front of the cottage, fishing, till the (Bad) neighbor's dog saw him and set forth to attack. Needless to say our grand bird is a little jumpy (I took these photos leaning the camera out the door so to not spook him.) I hope he comes back.

This little flicker was checking out the beach for -- well, I don't know what for!

 But he seemed rather happy with his pecking!

 The wildlife action isn't only animal but in the ground as well. I am fascinated by the strength of the fungi as they push through hard dirt and moss to emerge.

This is only the beginning of what I call fungi season. These are all very large.

I'm wondering what other interesting varieties I'll see soon.

My other bit of wildlife was taking a break, "flirting" on the pretty chairs we were given by our (Good) neighbor. That cute little bag behind her is from Patti at Pandora's Box. I was delighted to win it in her blog drawing. Thank you, Patti!

Fall holds such promise but I'm certainly content to wait awhile for it. 

 I want more late summer days with hours on the porch with my Wild Girl and our lake birds. 

Sharing with:   Let's Keep in Touch     /    Saturday's Critters    

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!)

Postcards from the Lake: The Quackles, the Internet, A Neurotic Cat and a Drop Dead Sky

Life at the lake is never without its surprises, its frustrations or its beauties.

I thought I might have critter withdrawal once I got here, but meet the Quackles -- a family of seven (I think) that finds the beach rather nice.

On this day, they were bobbing around in unusually windy conditions, sitting atop the water and rolling with the waves. Waves like this aren't the norm.

Of course, some had to come to shore to see what they could find. They're still relatively small, smaller than my ditch family, the Duckles.

Lizzie is not interested. Being the neurotic girl she is, no matter how warm, we find her here. Trust me -- I know how to make a bed better than this! She burrowed straight to the center! (Every now and then I check to make sure she is still alive.)

I'm making progress on my puzzle called Gotham Bookstore Cats. The theatre books and orange cats drew me in. I've read a lot of those!

The beach is terribly weedy. This is an annual occurrence, I think created in large part by those who use chemicals on their lake lawns. There should be a law. It's discouraged but that holds no weight. Cousin David I said we don't remember it being that bad when we were young. There were weeds but it was more sand than green. Not anymore. My good neighbor got a rototiller and worked the weeds loose.

It looks so much better. I will be able to rake or easily pull them up now. Still, even this is a miracle by comparison.

We're still enjoying some beautiful sunsets. 

It seems as though every evening offers something different. Sometimes I think the sky is kind of "flat" and when the sun goes down, I'll be disappointed.

I haven't been yet.