Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Friday, September 11, 2015

Saturday's Critters

On a recent jaunt through the country side we stopped at Willy's Lake - a private pond - where we are always sure of seeing some birds.  The Canada Geese seem to be flocking up for their trip south.  With the warm weather we have been having it doesn't look like they will be going any time soon.

It was bath time - and they made the most of it.  I saw one Goose turn completely over in the water - belly side up - but didn't get a photo - wish I had caught it in time.


 After bath time they sat on the shore and chatted
 Lots of flapping going on


  
  
 This is my favorite - you can see where the feet hit the water as the goose is taking off - walking on water
There were other critters there too - a Great Blue Heron on an artificial island in the pond.  We didn't know that it was an artificial island until we saw this damage to it - after the big storm last week.  There are foam floats under the "island - which is covered with dirt.  It has been there so long that plants have grown on the dirt - making it look like a real island.  I wonder if they will repair it.
 This is more of the island and larger pieces of the foam floats.  This part of the island had a full grown weeping willow tree and it blew over in the storm - damaging the island and the floats.  You can see the large white pieces of foam (right side of the photo) that held the island up.
Here is another island in the pond, right next to the first floating island - you can see the tree tipped over onto this island.
This is a picture from last autumn with the tree and the island undisturbed.  The roots must have been very shallow on the tree.  There are shore birds on the left end of the island.
 And a young girl was riding her horse on the other side of the pond
Good Bye


Mosaics made on ipiccy.com and fotor.com

12 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A lovely series about the Canada Geese and handsome horse. Have a lovely weekend

Maggie said...

Lovely photos as always. Amazing how that tree has grown on the artificial island. I wonder how deep the lake is and whether the roots actually go down into the ground.

Julie Fukuda said...

I wonder if those islands were built for the birds. What a shame the tree fell over. The bath time pictures are almost comical.

eileeninmd said...

Hello JoAnn, wonderful series on the geese. And I like the heron, ducks and shorebirds too. Cute shot of the horse and rider. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

TexWisGirl said...

so cute. pretty horse, too!

Christine said...

Super images of the geese and like you, my favourite is the one where the goose is walking or running on water to take flight! It's wonderful!
Christineandhercamera.blogspot.com

Powell River Books said...

Our geese have been gone for a long time. I guess going south doesn't mean they have to go too far. - Margy

Gemma Wiseman said...

So love your presentation of these birds in action and just being in their world. And such a scenic view of the tree on the little island.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Love the goose water walk...I've seen it, but never photographed it.
~

Kay said...

Willows seem like pretty indestructible trees. I wouldn't be surprised if it just didn't reroot and keep growing!

Stephanie said...

A wonderful series of images.

cedarmerefarm said...

Very fun! Two Canada geese visited our pond and raised 5 little ones this year. It was great to watch the parents teach their babies to form a straight line.