More on ducks and geese

 As I mentioned yesterday, the geese and ducks were away from the banks of Lake Tomahawk, which is how they stay safe from dogs (and children.)

 In the sluice which drains the lake into the Swannanoa River, I saw a few Mallard ducks, and a couple of ducklings!

 The mom is on the left, but the tiny little guy on the right is working against the current.

 Really there are 2 ducklings, one right behind mom, and the other in those shadows.

Finally a shot that makes each duckling visible!

Looking back across the dam, other ducks and geese can be spotted.

The goose whisperer

 I stopped when some ducks appeared eager to leave the lake and walk across my path.  Wildlife gets right-of-way in my mind.

 They were scurrying while waddling...rather funny sight!

 There holding a wild goose, and occasionally whistling, sat the goose whistler.  He also does feed them, which obviously catches their attention.  I've asked him what he feeds them in the past, because we've had to post signs (Black Mountain I mean) saying not to feed ducks because bread (which most people use) causes disease.  But he feeds them cracked corn...he said.

 I see you seeing me.

 The males are still pretty competitive!

These white geese/large ducks were most mean to each other.  Maybe they needed to have a time out.

What belongs and what doesn't...

OK, we've had breakfast, and now it's morning nap time.

But what's this?

Lake Tomahawk never floods, it has controls where the water goes out, and the level doesn't get higher than a few inches.

The big sluice is part of the drainage, and there's another valve that is turned to release water out a big pipe below the dam.

So I knew right away last Monday morning, how the Stop Sign had ended up in the lake.  Young people having their idea of fun.  I saw this as a younger-than-I-am man walked along with his dog.  I asked him "did you do things like that when you were a kid? I sure didn't."  He kind of looked surprised to have me ask him.  His dog just took it in stride.  (The sign was gone the next time I walked!)