As some of you who read other blogs from the West know, while you *Easterners* have been basking in a glorious March/April, we have been deluged with cold, rain, wind, hail... sigh.... so, on Monday, as I knew it was the ONLY non-rainy day this week, I rang my friend Carol, and we set out to *explore* the wilds of Stow Lake.....*armed* with two loaves of bread and my camera.
Here are some of the *Creatures* we encountered..
And...now, below..my first video of a "Wild Critter" sighting....closing in on a Red Slider Turtle...who was non-plussed by my *closing in* on him!
A trio of Canadian Geese! They flew in together....and immediately *posed* for us - and for the bread!
Love those webbed feet!
Further around the lake, as I was hunting for Stellar Jays...I heard a *splash* in the water.... at first, I couldn't see anything....so I tossed some bread in.....and was surprised to see six Catfish and one, lone Koi..(white and red)!
Who knew they liked bread! They *fought* for the pieces, tails plashing the water....it was wonderful to see them! Wish I could have captured them more clearly - but they were quick.....
Further on....we met this peaceful pair.... many couples here....I expect the lake to have a lot of Ducklings - soon!
Then.....we heard it.....the almost *other-wordly* call of the Red Winged Blackbird! It's difficult to describe....but very distinct... we saw him above us....
Come on....*pose for me*!!!
THANK YOU!!!
We also encountered this sweet-voiced little Sparrow....who serenaded us for a while!
Rounding the lake....still no Stellar Jays....we met this *Ferocious* denizen of the Lake! Who DEMANDED....peanuts! Sadly, we didn't have any - and he turned his nose up at our bread! (Little Gourmet *Snob*!)
Another brave *Adventurer* happened by just then....with peanuts - so the day was saved!
Oh....before I leave....I must show you a photo I took last month of a Stellar Jay! Isn't he gorgeous!!! Now you know why I was back on another quest to photograph him again.
HAW!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Wonderful pics Robin!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what type of turtle that is, but it resembles one I *rescued* from trying to cross the dual lane highway, only to have it almost BITE OFF A FINGER.....omg....it was heavy, slippery and STUNK, but I hate seeing the poor things mashed.
I drove the rest of the way home in the cold with windows open and head OUT!
Love the snobby little squirrel! What a hoot....lovely walk~~lucky YOU. :-)
XXOO~~
Anne
Hi Anne... hmmm...I am wondering if he is a *Snapping Turtle*...I was told there were a few in the lake! Yikes! It's a good thing I didn't try and feed him - or video him! A-ha-ha!
DeleteYou were so wonderful to rescue that turtle!!!! (But, I'm not surprised.....)
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Oh boy, I love when you take us for a walk! That is one huge turtle!!! The ducks and geese are so neat. We have 10 little baby ducks on our little lake but sadly, the hawks get them in just a few days.
ReplyDeleteThe color on that jay is magnificent!! No wonder you wanted more. So gorgeous.
HAW and hugs
Teri.... it's fun to take you along! So sad about the baby ducks...it's the part of Nature I dislike...there are Hawks at Stow Lake too...but I am hoping many of the ducklings will survive....
DeleteStellar Jays really are magnificent....the blue and black combination is really breathtaking! (They have a funny little voice, though....not pretty!)
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteI just love that red winged blackbird, and I don't think I've ever seen one.
Though ordinary, I love the little sparrows.
Well then, nothing in nature is ordinary,,,,so I apologize, little sparrow.
The Stellar Jay is just,,,well,,,
stellar!
Hi Babs... oh yes, the Red-Winged Blackbirds are simply gorgeous...when they are in flight and their wings are spread out wide....wow! I still haven't been able to capture one in flight - but I'm working on it!
DeleteI love Sparrows too.... we actually sat for a while and listened to his sweet, sweet voice....it really represented *Spring* to me!
Mr. Stellar.....sigh.....
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
Oh what a wonderful walk. Today we are stuck inside with pouring.. cats and dogs.. rain. glub glub glub. what else on Animal wednesday.. lol Soon there will be Ducklings and gooslings at our duck pond too. Cant wait. Oh and a side note.. The Geese are actually called CANADA Geese..I was very nicely corrected some time back. Who knew. :))
ReplyDeleteCris!! I am so happy you came a'visiting!!! Yes....it has poured almost non-stop since Monday....last night I thought my home would blow away!!!
DeleteThank you for the Canada Goose Correction!
Waiting for Ducklings!!! I know you will get some fantastic photos!!!
I am so happy you are feeling better!!!!!
Love to all 4,
♥ Robin ♥
Oh and I have no idea about those Turtles. Are they big ones?
ReplyDeleteThey are about three times larger than the Red Slider I videotaped...
DeleteLove their prehistoric look!!!
♥♥
Gorgeous pics, the color on that jay is just amazing! As for the turtle, I'll check it out. It's on the tip of my tongue.....but I just can't remember.
ReplyDeleteHAW to you and all your rainy friends ( we are 7 inches under our normal water and it's quite a shock).
Xo
Hi Mim.....oh, if only I could *package* a few hundred thousand gallons of water and ship them East! A-ha-ha! But, in fact, even with this rainy March/April, we are below our seasonal rainfall too....we had the dryest Winter in over 40 years.... Global Warming? Oh yes....
DeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
What a great post!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had much time to blog...... Seems like now that I have time I don't......
What gorgeous creatures you encountered!
Those turtles and the cute squirrel (don't let Emma hear the S word.....)
It is late . Just returned from a birthday party. I wrote a post and now I will go to bed. Tomorrow I will start my day with a blog round and then I will work in the garden. I think my twin nieces will come in the afternoon,
have to mail or call you....... :)
Have a wonderful day. Hope the sun returns!
♥M
Ps forgot to tell you lovely video! It was like standing beside you :)
Deleteoooh, that's some kind of "snout" turtle...I don't quite remember! And the red winged blackbird is one of my faves. I know their calls very well. And the sweet little white capped sparrow. Sigh. I love them. I used to answer them on my walks in Asilomar.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos LS! The one of the mallards is wonderful, so still.
HAW and happy trails!
Miss you, love you,
B♥S
Love the shot of the Mallards too.... Carol and I sat down on a nearby bench and the pair *trusted* us....they stayed there, while the Sparrow serenaded us all.....sigh...it was peaceful and soothing...
DeleteLove,
♥ LS ♥
that turtle looks like a small boulder!
ReplyDeletewhat wonderful photos. i love birds a lot. the jay is amazing. and that red splash on the blackbird is kind of miraculous. i have never seen one and now i know i would love to
but where is emily rabbit? surely she was with you? yes? no?
love
kj
KJ....next time you are on the *other coast*, I am sure Lori will take you to see a Red-Winged Blackbird! Wait till you see one in flight.... breathtaking!
DeleteEmilwee was, in fact with us....but she was so *impish*...the Squirrels tossed peanuts at her!!!
♥ R ♥
LOVE Red-Winged Blackbirds!...I have never seen a Stellar Jay (though have read about them)...the turtle looks like the "soft-shelled" turtles we have here...they are the only one with snouts like that, that I know of...:) Lovely blog! I have just discovered you, and I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Anne ♥
Hello Anne! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI appreciate your *Turtle Update*...I'll come to your blog for a visit now.
♥ Robin ♥
Oh, so sorry we Easterners have been rubbing it in about our weather! Does it help to know it's raining here today?
ReplyDeleteI love birds of all types. Even the pesky Canada geese.
(Oh, and I looked it up and it appears to be a pig-nosed turtle.
♥ your nerdy friend)
Dear *Nerdy* CS.... a-ha-ha!!! Yesss.... I am *smiling* - just a little....as we may sunny skies in an hour or so after the fog lifts....but, no rain!
DeleteYep....love those Canada Geese....I like watching them *Honk* their arrival as they fly over and land with a huge splash on the lake!
Thank you, thank you for the Turtle info!!! What a perfect name for him... he DOES have a little-piggy snout!!!!
Hugs from *Soon-to-be-Sunny* SF!
♥ Robin ♥
What a nice outing you had...and the many animals you encountered! I loved you video using your sweet critters voice - wouldn't you have just fainted if he had turned around and said: "Hello!"
ReplyDeleteYes, fish love bread. Many a times have I tossed bread in the water and the fish were sucking on the surface like little piglets LOL That Stellar Jay bird is just amazing. I saw him on your FB page and found him to be very handsome and impressive looking.
What a lovely way to spend the day! Thank you for sharing it with us :-)