Just some thoughts

 

One man against the tanks, Tiananmen Square,  in Beijing on June 5, 1989

British memorial Normandy, D-Day 80th anniversary this year, June 6 

Bob Nagan captured the Canada Geese happily eating new grass sprouts on the Lake Tomahawk dam. A sprinkling system was installed, but I'm very much afraid geese will take off as much grass as they can.

June 5, 2024

And a great sound and loving the dance of Illinoise, the musical, as performed on Cobert.

Today's quote:

If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. -Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author and aviator (29 Jun 1900-1944)

Saturday's Critters: Ohio and North Carolina

Walking to the commencement ceremony at Ohio State stadium from the parking lot, who should we meet but Canada Geese! And just like our home grounds where they roam, walking on the grass was perilous.

Cody the yappy Pekinese sometimes rests and is quiet. But he's basically the lord of the house of my son and his family in Ohio.

Before I left for my granddaughter's graduation, I walked at my favorite lake...Tomahawk. there was a busy family of Mallards. 

Some strayed far from the parents, and mom made squeaks that were ineffective at getting them back.

Maybe those fearless ducklings met a fate of being some bigger animal's dinner. There were certainly less as the week wore on.

I know someone has photographed a snake in the lake, and of course raccoons must be around, as well as bigger birds. It's a tough life for babies in the springtime.

Then my friend pointed out the Swallowtail butterflies gathered for some salts on the sand by the lake.

 If I'd moved any closer they would have flown away.

Today while you're reading this, at least in the morning hours, I'll be out selling pottery again in the Mud Buddies Booth at the Tailgate Market. It promises to be cool this weekend, and no rain in the forecast. I have just one tub of pots to carry a short distance. But as I packed it yesterday, I found I'd pulled one of my big back muscles, probably during chair yoga. I quickly found a brace that holds me tightly around my middle. I can move around now. Hope that by tomorrow it will have returned to normal.

Enjoy looking at...

Eileen's Saturday Critters

Short walk at Lake Tomahawk

 

Even on a grey day, one can find beauty at the lake. Reflections are softened.

This Canada Goose couple owned the right of way for walkers, but would let us pass if we didn't look too threatening. I do wonder what they think of the black cards/phones which people point at them like I did here.

The Mallard families waddled away from the lake, and I do hope they were cautious as they cross the road in the distance.

An Oak Hydrangea still had last year's blooms' skeletons, while the new growth is bursting forth!

What's the password please? 

And then there was the cherry tree.

Since the B&B beyond the fence is no longer in business, but sold to a private family, I do hope someone keeps these beautiful gardens up.

Sharing with Eileen's Saturday Critters.

Today is:

National Take a Walk in the Park Day, 

Doctors Day

Today's quote:

Don't ask me who's influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he's digested, and I've been reading all my life. -

Giorgos Seferis, writer, diplomat, Nobel laureate (1900-1971)

Continuing the walk

 Lake Tomahawk had a chill wind coming off of it, but the sun was quite hot, so I walked most of the way carrying my over-shirt.

Some pretty white flowers were growing on the dam...perhaps Queen Annes Lace?

I enjoyed how the grass has grown tall on the top of the dam...less doggie leavings there for one. But I actually didn't see a single dog on my walk. Remember 3:30 in the afternoon for another time!

One view from my resting bench.

A slightly different view, which includes the little island.

As I resumed my walk, I looked down from the bridge to find these ducklings and mama mallard. Though many people had posted all kind of photos of goslings and ducklings last week, these were the first I encountered.

But across the creek leading into the lake, all these Canada Geese came wadling. They apparently nap until about  this time (3:30 ish) and then go for a dip.

And the finish of my walk will have to wait till tomorrow!

During the Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday was too cold and windy, and Sunday gave rain with the cold, so Monday was the next day for me to walk!

 I am devouring the latest Charles Frazier book, also some of the west, and FL too, The Trackers. During depression years. Just a heads up, in case a rainy day gives time for reading.

Sharing with Skywatch Friday.

Today's quote:

Waking up to the fact that something needs to change in our lives is the first step to realizing our dreams.

  

Goslings of Canada Geese

The first pair of parents were swimming fast away from me, as I walked by Lake Tomahawk the other day (Mon. May 13)

 But they took the 3 goslings up into the grassy area.

Lots of yummy bugs or new grass for these tiny new creatures. I was watched carefully by one of the parents.

 And a few feet away, another couple were feeding with their one gosling.

 Then there was another family...all gobbling up something that was delectable to them!

I hope these little ones manage to grow big and strong, to fly and swim as their instincts teach them.

Monday critter report

 Maybe a Common Gallinule or maybe a Coot, and a Canada Goose....

 A walk around the lake at about 3 o'clock on Saturday.  Lots of hungry geese are out.

 This one took off just as I got near...flying after another one that's barely visible center of the photo.

 The wild white ducks.  Some are breeding with the Mallards, so probably are not geese.

I saw 3 mallards swimming around in the middle of the lake. They all dived and disappeared for the count of 15 seconds, and when they returned to the surface one male was trying to mount another.  I've never seen anything like it. Couldn't tell for sure that the one practically underwater was female...but hey, they're ducks!

 My sad little lone goose on the dam was not alone today.  There's another pair that aren't exactly "with him."

 There really are 2 geese in this shot...but you may have to use your imagination so you don't think it's a 2 headed goose.

Lonely dam goose still shows something amiss with his wing feathers.