Fishing on the Neuse

I've never seen anyone catch anything, but it doesn't stop them from trying.  

 

Guards

These cormorants were seriously guarding their pilon. 

 

Clouds collect

The weather has finally turned to winter.  Clouds gather and the temps are chilly.

 

Neuse

The Neuse River just below Falls Lake Dam.

 

The Bike Guy

The Bike Guy rents bikes on the greenway.  Probably not the old ones he's got hanging up in front.

 

Exploring

Picking flowers maybe?

 

Ahhhh

There's no better place on a hot day!

 

Turtle heaven

These turtles looked pleased with their river rocks.

 

What's wrong with this picture?

Is this a test to see if people pay attention to signs?

Maybe just turn off the drinking fountain...

 

Sky

 

Lakeside

Skipping stones and rock hopping never gets old.

 

Bluebird

This little bluebird posed long enough for one picture and then zipped away.

 

Sentinels

These two cormorants seemed to be watching out for something.

 

Curious but cautious

Is it cheating to post a picture of a squirrel?  There are so many of them.  But this guy was very carefully hiding behind a tree checking us out.

 

Long leaf

Longleaf pines used to be the dominant pine species in the southeast.  Unfortunately, they are great lumber trees.  They were harvested heavily and now cover only 3% of the original range.

The needles really are long.  Here's a longleaf needle with a Loblolly needle above.  The needles can be 17 inches long and are often used in pine basket weaving.

 

Pest

This prehistoric looking guy is a Leaf Footed Bug.  (see here)  They can be pests in the garden, chomping on almost everything.  The resource above describes one method for getting rid of them:

 "If only a small group of bugs are a problem, they can be dislodged into a jar of soapy water in which they will drown in agony." 

Someone really doesn't like those bugs!

 

Guardian

The owl statue must have been placed on the top part of the Falls Lake Dam to scare away birds.  It didn't work for whoever made the nest.  Osprey maybe?

 

Daddy's girl

She was bouncing all over on the Falls Lake Dam road.  Dad was only one step behind.

 

Wizzard staff?

Did Gandalf lose his staff?

 

One down

Little by little the lake claims the surrounding forest.