May 8th - 14th - Lake Birds

It was lovely to still see the geese and their goslings around this week. Several times this week I saw them out with their parents and out on the shoreline eating the greenery around. It's lovely to see them. 

An interesting gosling fact: whatever a gosling sees when they first hatch is what they will bond to. This includes anything that moves whether it is alive or not!

At this stage their wings are still underdeveloped. 

All tired out. This gosling had enough and sat down to take a rest 

There aren't any other species of babies around - at least none that I could see. The Red-winged Blackbirds seem to be pretty busy. 

This female was flying over the lake, landing on lily pads and trying to capture flying bugs. 

The male was watching close by

This one was singing out loud, trying to capture a mate? 

The herons were still around, looking very prehistoric as they fly over the lake. 

There were mallards around, but no signs of babies for them yet. 

Also some Wood Ducks. Mostly males. I'm hoping that the lack of females means that the females have laid eggs and are staying with them.

The birds aren't the only ones around the lake this time of year.  While I was out watching the birds I saw movement in the lake and watched as two turtles danced around one another. 

They looked really big so I'm thinking they were mating Snapping Turtles. They can be quite aggressive, so it was good they were in the lake!

On the lakeshore, but a lot more docile were a few toads. 

And some (shudder) snakes.

I must admit that snakes are not my favourite creatures. Last year while I was out walking there were a lot of snakes especially out on the concrete platform. It's under water this year though so not sure there will be any to be seen there. There were a lot there last year, several at the same time, probably ready to mate. 

I saw a few beavers this week and they (once again) deserve a post of their own!