Across the lake

The clouds looked like smoke signals across the lake.

 

Buttercup

In the midst of chilly winter, a little buttercup popped up.

 

Mrs. Kingfisher

She watched us closely before flying off to hunt for fish.

Kingfisher

 

The last goose

I don't know if they've become dinner, or just flew off, but this seems to be the last Toulouse goose at Lake Lynn.  

They are a French breed of geese someone introduced to Lake Lynn years ago.  One by one they've disappeared until this gentleman is the last survivor.

 

Silhouette

A lone squirrel flipped his tail at us.

 

Boardwalk

Lake Lynn boardwalk on a chilly day.

 

Dive

A group of diving ducks swam around in the lake.

Every time I was ready to snap the picture, all I could see was the tail as they disappeared.

Finally I caught one between dives.  

A Ruddy Duck.

 

Killdeer

This little killdeer looked like he was on guard.

 

Pile on

On a cool but sunny day, turtles find any place they can in the sun.

 

Daily heron

If you don't see a heron while walking around any lake in Raleigh, you just didn't look hard enough.  Here is the heron of the day.

 

Nuthatch

This little nuthatch was working very hard on the tree trunk.

 

Encounter with a duck

This kayaker was facing off with a muscovy duck.   

 

Meal time

We couldn't figure out why the bushes and trees were quiet.  No little birds flying around.  Then we saw why.  A very big hawk just waiting for his next meal.

 

Fishing

The herons were busy fishing in the muck.

 

Squirrel???

Kind of a creepy little squirrel to find in the forest.

 

buds

The buds of the rosemallow look like alien pods from outer space.

 

Tiger

The tiger swallowtail was enjoying the buttonbush flowers.

 

Barn swallow

The swallows were swooping over the lake.  This one stopped to chortle at us.

 

Teenager

Someday he'll be a bright red crested cardinal.  But he's a gawky teen right now.

 

Dragons

There are so many different types of dragonflies.

Some very delicate.

Some could be mistaken for birds.