Signs of Summer

 

We're off to a good start with spring blooms and turtles.  Summer's just around the corner.

Eddie's Back

At the Hatch

 

Two Weeks Later

 

Well, we can now officially start the summer season.  Eddie brought a new hatch into the world today.  She built her nest near the same old place, but on much higher ground.  Have to wonder if she had some premonition of the rains that were to pelt down during her long sit on the nest.

As the lake is over-populated with Canada Geese, we keep most of them moving in late winter and early spring.  We only make the exception for Eddie and Bert. 

Bert takes his place on Alice's deck--watching over Eddie on the nest.  He makes a royal mess there, but we have many conversations as the sun sets.  I sit in my chair and Bert paces.  There is nothing more beautiful than these geese up close--and no more noble animal when it comes to protecting their young.  It's a pity there are so darn many of them.

Signs of Spring

Well, the heron is here--and so is the lift.  The boys at the boat company dropped it off the other day.  It sits calmly off the point--waiting for the installation of the pier.  There is a full bore bass fishing contest underway--we stopped counting at fifteen boats.  And, the consummate fisherman, our heron, has found himself a comfortable place to scout for victims.  All we need now are some green leaves and spring flowers.

New Arrival

I thought I'd seen it all when the Eagle bounced into the point tree, the Sandhill Cranes buzzed over the roof, and the Loons started patrolling off the sea wall.  Today, we have a new arrival, a Pheasant!  I'd only seen these birds from the car while driving on the highway in California.  I had no idea just how big they are--pretty close to chicken-sized.  Here's a picture of the fellow on our West shore.  He's not a bit shy.  He just watched me as I shooed the ever present Geese off the property.

The Last Snow Storm?

We can dream!  It's fun to be surrounded  by white.  But we're ready for Spring now. This is the view through the living room window.

Open Water

Not a boat on the lake as yet.  Won't be long.  Here is a sunrise on our first open water that has a chance of staying open.  We've had a number of false alarms this winter.

So How's Fishing?

I get asked that a lot--check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=x3Bf0WhvsNk&vq=medium
Seriously--this took place on the Wabash River--not on Lake Manitou.
Couldn't resist it, though.