Duck, duck.. goose?

This morning was absolutely beautiful (temperature 70 degrees, humidity 50%) and since it's been awhile since I walked around Lake Kittamaqundi, I decided to see if I could find the Canada Geese and their goslings.

There was an earthy smell to the air as I stepped onto the path by our apartment building and I could see that the plants had grown- in some places they had overtaken the path! Before I could see the water I heard machine noise- kind of like a huge lawn mower- and wondered who was going to get in trouble for having a prohibited motor boat on the lake. When I reached the lake front path I saw that it was, indeed, a large floating lawn mower! A kayaker explained to me that they essentially mow the grass in the lake and scoop it (and garbage) into a basket to keep the lake cleaner and healthier for the wildlife. I was going to take a picture of this floating lawn mower when I got to the other side of the lake (better camera angle!) but by then my camera battery had died so you'll have to use your imagination!

I was surprised that many of the flowers I had enjoyed last month were no longer flowering- but new flowers had sprung up. Most of them are not planted but grow wild along the lake. Several kinds of berries were growing on bushes and I wondered if they are edible- and by whom or what!

Flowers in many colors and sizes adorned the lake path- a benefit of a warm and humid climate!

The noise from the "lawn mower boat" was really loud and at first I thought it had scared all the birds away. But as I stood quietly gazing into a tree I realized that the songbirds were still there and they were still singing- but I had to really listen to hear their sweet song. I didn't see any Canada Geese but the faithful Mallard ducks were still there. All the babies have grown up and many have "flown the coop." These beauties caught my eye as they paddled around.

As I was walking back thinking how different the lake has been every time I've explored it,  it occurred to me that this continuous change is like my life... babies grow up and leave the nest... flowers (friends) of every description constantly bloom in your path, some coming and some going... you can hear the sweet music of life if you ignore the noise of the world  and really listen... and sometimes you need to clean out the weeds (bad habits).

birds of a feather...

The morning dawned crisp and cool and I decided to take advantage of this beautiful spring day by strolling along Lake Kittamaqundi. I packed my camera bag and headed to the path outside our apartment complex. Those who know me know I love to take macro photos of flowers... and indeed, I did shoot about a dozen or so. And then I heard a most distinctive sound coming from above me. "HONNNKKK!!  HOONNNKK!!" I whipped off my macro lens, switched to a zoom lens and started off to find the honkers.

I was side-tracked by the beauty of the lake. Have you ever wondered how many shades of green there are? I found an interesting website where optical scientists and physicists discussed that very question- the consensus being there are an infinite number of shades although humans can only differentiate about a million of them. Amazing! Okay, back to the honkers...

I spotted this lone Mallard duck... but heard him quack, not "HOONNKKK!" so I continued on down the path.

I spied this beautiful white egret wading in a shallow area of the lake... still no honking.

As I rounded a bend in the path I heard that distinctive sound again... and discovered a family (or two) of Canada Geese- not "Canadian Geese" as many people call them! I love that Canada Geese mate for life- such a picture of God's intention for man! I watched and listened for awhile and then headed on my way thinking about Matthew 6:26-27 "Look at the birds of the air; they do now sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

I was watching a squirrel scamper up a tree when this Cardinal flew by. He (only the males are red) was a little camera shy and this was the best shot I got... but I enjoyed listening to his song for a few minutes.

As I was walking back this Great Blue Heron (the largest and most widespread heron in North America) caught my eye. He flew away shortly after I shot the picture on the left and I caught up with him again farther up the path.

While I was walking away from them, the family of Canada Geese moved to a grassy area by the lake. I think this is probably 3 mama geese and their babies since they have one brood per year with 4-7 goslings and there were about 15 or 16 babies. I noticed that one of the mamas would keep watch while the other two hunted for food. Even though I was a good 25 or 30 feet away, she kept a wary eye on me. 

Aren't they CUTE??? 

An Evening Stroll...

This evening when Richard got home from work we decided to explore a path that goes from our apartment complex around Lake Kittamaqundi, a man-made reservoir from an unnamed tributary of the Little Patuxent River. The lake honors the first Indian settlement in Howard County-  in the tribe's native language, Kittamaqundi means "meeting place."

The path from the complex meets the path around the lake. 

This pier, a popular spot for fishermen, juts out into the lake. There are park benches both along the path and on the pier... a nice place to read a book and sip a mocha!

Ducks were the only wildlife we encountered. Several families brought bread to feed them so they were clustered around the shoreline.

On the other side of the path (opposite the lake) is a forested area that leads into a park area. Several sculptures erupt out of the landscape providing interesting contrasts- natural vs. man-made, soft lines vs. harsh ones, complex patterns vs. simple ones.

A short walk down the path brings you to a kind of boardwalk area with restaurants, benches and a large fountain (empty now but runs during the summer)... in other words, a "meeting place!"

Richard had an animated discussion with these two silver-haired gentlemen. In the middle is James Rouse (who developed Columbia- a unique city of ten "villages," each with their own shopping area, recreation sites and school).

Tulips are blooming EVERYWHERE! I love looking at them!

We only walked about a fifth of the way around the lake and then turned around to go back. It was time to put dinner in the oven... and we were hungry! Perhaps next time we'll walk the opposite way and end up at one of the restaurants... there are several we want to try.