Temperatures Dip

Frost on Dandelion

Freezing temperatures frosted some of the landscape this morning.  The lake is mostly frozen over.  There is open water along the edges.  

Stay warm and enjoy!

~ Robin

Turtles are Out

While walking along the lake, one hears little 'plunk's.  I couldn't help but notice the timid turtles have ventured out to sunbath.  I was happy to see and hear so many little ones.  The fox and raccoon didn't get all of last year's eggs.


Enjoy!

~ Robin

Before the Melt

Temperatures are expected to warm above freezing tomorrow, and stay there for the next week at least.  So today, I took an 'off-shore' walk on the lake.  

The cold winds have caused drifts among the cattail.  These could be gone this week-end!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Sunday Colors in the Park

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Fall Reflections

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Caught a Coot

The lake ice melted away over the weekend.  Caught an American Coot on camera today.  The coot is not exactly a duck - rather more like a sand crane.  

This afternoon has been cold (less than 40F) and windy - dipping below freezing in the night.  There is snow in the forecast.

Bundle up and enjoy!

~ Robin

Thursday Happenings

The ice now covers just over half of the lake.  A flock of gulls have found the lake a good place to find and eat fish.





Elsewhere, some of the pussy willows are beginning to flower.  Thus my first bee sighting of the year.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Meanwhile at the Lake . . .

The lake ice is changing fast.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Winter Blow-back

Nearly all of the snow has melted.  It is nice to be able to walk the lake path again.  The The Red-winged blackbirds can be heard trilling their happiness.   How nice to gorgeous weather after the harsh winter. 




The lake ice is weakening, but still covers most of the lake.  The midweek warm-up might be the breaking blow.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Sunday Best

click to enlarge

Colors were brilliant early morning on Sunday.  The air was crisp, the grass that was not touched by the sun was still frosty.  After the winds yesterday afternoon, trees are looking thinner.  I was glad to be out early before many more of the leaves fell.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Ironweed

Tall and purple, Prairie Ironweed lines one side of the landing at the other side of the lake.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Fresh Batch of Peepers!

A new batch of Canadian Geese hatched and were enjoying a swim today.  It certainly was hot enough for it!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Lake Feasting

Insect eaters were swooping in mass on the east side of the lake.  Primarily, these were tree swallows.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Mr and Mrs

Several couples have been settling down at the park.

Mr. and Mrs. Hooded Merganser ... 

and

Mr. and Mrs. Wood Duck.





Enjoy!

~ Robin

Birds Back

Lots of birds are back at the lake.

Red Wing Blackbirds
Great Blue Heron
Canadian Geese
Mallard 
Hooded Merganser
Red-bellied Woodpeckers
White Breasted Nuthatch
Ring-billed Gull

To name a few.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

 

Spring Challenges

This hardy little guy crossed the lake outlet at least twice this evening.  Aside from the swift current, there are still large chunks of ice to navigate.  Spring holds some challenge for a muskrat.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Evidence of a Return

Tell-tale tracks of a large heron or egret were found near the lake outlet.  And other evidence on the far bridge.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Down Stream

The high water level has broken up the ice downstream into large chunks.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Icy Outlet

The lake has been iced over for awhile.  Yet, water still flows at the outlet.  Click on photo to enlarge.

Enjoy!

~ Robin Clifton

The 'Other' End of the Park

It may not be known to all, but there is another part to the park.  The 'other' end of the lake.  It is here that there is a landing to allow to put boats on the water.  Kinda pretty, don't you think?

Enjoy!

~ Robin