The lake was all silted up from all the recent rains, but all that runoff raised up the water level so I could get into more of the nooks & crannies around the lake.

It’s definitely the Time of the Dragon, Dragon Flies, that is:

This one probably just emerged: that looks like their shed larval skin on the branch:


The Geese have definitely been busy. I came across a large group of Gooselets (and just a few adults) along the shore. They split up (perhaps with all those little ones, I made them nervous), pretty much evenly, and while one group went into the woods, this group continued along the shore. I suspect the met up later.

I’ve said it before, just when I think I’ve seen all the lake has to show me, nature throws something else at me. As I was paddling up one of those little crannies, I saw two large birds moving around in the trees. I first thought “hawk”, but once I got to where I could actually see one, I realized this was something new (to me).


Given that I saw two of them (Barred Owls, I believe), and this one was keeping a real close eye on me, I didn’t want to approach too close in case they had a nest nearby.

Of course, we have the obligatory Great Blue Heron picture; this one had just taken off: they generally fold their necks a few seconds after takeoff.

followed up by a nice full-stall landing. You can see how the airflow has separated across her wings.