April 23rd - 30th - Around the Lake

The beavers were out and about again this week. They were still so busy with lots of evidence of their presence. 

 

They are just so beautiful to watch. 

A Muskrat. These can be seen around the lake quite often and are sometimes mistaken for Beavers. Before I actually saw a beaver, I must admit that I wouldn't have known the difference. I was always told that you could tell by looking at their tails. That would be nice, if I actually often saw beavers' tails. Obviously, beavers are a lot bigger, but after seeing quite a few of them I've come to realise that beavers' noses are different, more bear-like rather than pointed and their ears are rounder. Muskrats also seem to use their tails to steer them when they are swimming. 

There was a lot of other activity on the lake this week. It isn't just up in the fields and woods that things are hopping. 

There are still lots of geese around. Usually, they are quite genial to one another but come mating season they are very argumentative. They squawk at one another and don't like other geese being near them. Canadian Geese are monogamous and perhaps a little protective of their mates - especially during mating season. 

The Wood Ducks are still checking out the trees for potential nesting spots. 

Female Wood Duck 

Male Wood Duck

A different visitor for the lake - a Spotted Sandpiper. They like to walk on the shores of ponds, streams and marshes. 

I saw it down by the flooded platform. Usually, this space is pretty dry and lots of snakes can be seen there. This year it was mostly underwater during springtime. Sometimes toads can be seen there too.

Another visitor to the lake this week were the lovely Pied-billed Grebes.

And finally, the herons seemed to have returned. It's always a great time of year to see them. 

Finally got two herons in the same photo!

I think this fish might be a carp, though I'm not entirely sure. Herons can be such patient hunters, sometimes it's a matter of just waiting for them to catch anything!

One more post for this week, I think. Some views and some other woodland animals.