I found this post in the private section of my blog. I am hoping it isn’t one that I haven’t published before. It was set for 2021, so no idea what …
My Lensbaby Lenses and the beauty of them
A beautiful picture of lilac from Leanne Cole. To see more of Leanne’s stunning photography or to read about her photographic techniques, please click the link above.
I’ve posted occasionally about the marmot community that lives among the breakwater boulders next to the lake; here’s an update.
Over the last couple of years their colony has grown significantly; it would be an understatement to say that they are doing well!
They have expanded from a relatively small group in a confined portion of the breakwater into the rest of the boulders lining the water’s edge; about 400 metres (1000 ft) or so.
They are eating very well as lots of people are bringing them oodles of vegetables and dandelions – their favourite – too. And they are also becoming a bit of a tourist attraction, as well. People love to stop to take photos.
But I would also say that they’re getting too accustomed to being fed. A few days ago, and for the first time ever, I had a marmot leave the safety of his boulder home to approach me on the footpath for food.
Standing on his back legs, he stared beseechingly at me!
I have been known to feed the ducks during the winter, but I don’t believe in feeding wild animals during the summer. The marmots hibernate and emerge fully when there’s lots available to eat, so I don’t feel that they need any help.
Marmots are incredibly endearing little animals and it’s tempting to feed them, but I’ve seen people allowing them to sit on their laps and to scamper all over their shoulders and backs which for the most part isn’t an issue unless something goes wrong.
Marmots are wild animals and can carry ticks, rabies, and fleas. I would hate to see this colony removed because someone has been bitten, and all because an adult has thrown caution to the winds. It’s unfortunately always the animals who pay the price because humans don’t know how to behave.
Whenever I see people sitting among them, I mention that marmots carry ticks, fleas and rabies, and they usually move away, but maybe it’s time to post a sign reminding people of this and also that in the summer, marmots are perfectly capable of feeding themselves. It’s in their best interests and really, in ours, too.
A view of the beach near our home …
… from a pier in the lake.
Happy Saturday.
Some pretty flower delights for your Friday …
… some blue hydrangeas …
… a pink rose …
… a bouquet of lovely pink and white dianthus …
… and a deep yellow rose.
Happy Friday.
I’ve seen lots of adult Canada geese around, but the goslings are still being minded in more secluded areas while many of the adults forage on their own.
This is a rather unique characteristic of these geese: once their young have hatched, the parents will organise themselves into groups called crèches where a large number of goslings are minded by a few adults while the others go off to eat or sometimes just to sleep or relax. They take turns minding the little ones. And here we humans thought we had child care all figured out!
Outside of town at a smaller lake I recently saw a couple of crèches of about 20 goslings each being minded by two adults. They were very busy! 40 goslings and four adults! Wow. At least the goslings seemed to be very laid back. I guess it’s adulthood that brings with it the grumpy aggressiveness that the Canada geese love to display!
There were a number of mallard ducks around, too, but it seems that many of the birds, even the finicky quail, get on well with the ducks.
When I got back to town I saw a number of geese on Okanagan Lake enjoying an adult time of it.
Although Canada geese are often seen as nuisances, they are an extraordinarily successful species. They mate for life, are extremely committed parents who will go to great lengths to protect their young and they certainly know how to share the workload for the betterment of everyone in the group.
Pretty great characteristics.
Happy Wednesday.
Starlight Express
A gorgeous lily picture from Jonathan Chua at Helluva Times. To see more of Jonathan’s stunning photos, please click the link above.
I’ve been very fortunate to see so many ducklings over the last few days. Adorably tiny feather balls, they are some of the cutest little ones ever.
Dad was bringing up the rear, but I didn’t include him in the photo. They were moving quickly and I wanted to get a picture.
On my return trip, I saw that mom was teaching them how to forage in the long grass next to the shoreline. Not only good pickings there but good protection, too.
I don’t know how many will survive as lots of predators see them as an excellent snack, but this mom is doing her best to keep them safe.
Happy Sunday.
There are often very ordinary but pretty things to see as we travel through our days. We usually just have to take a second to notice.
A pretty snowbell tree with bee …
… and a lace-leaf maple that has almost completed its spring metamorphosis from red to green.
Spring’s lovely sights aren’t to be missed.
June is bursting with lovely flowers! Here are a few that I’ve seen over the last week.
Happy Friday.
During our recent trip through northern British Columbia, Yukon and on to Jasper National Park we saw lots of animals, but they visually weren’t at their best. They have just come through winter, they’re in the process of shedding their coats, and they either have young ones or are about to. In short, they are busy parents just trying to recover from winter cold!
Being able to see all these animals was particularly wonderful especially as most of our sightings were in a national park where they are well protected.
Happy Sunday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 