Gathering At The River

The Canada Geese, the Trumpeter Swans and the Mallard Ducks are gathered on Fish Hook River.  It is fun to go see them, there is enough current to keep the water open unless it gets really cold.  The geese, swans and ducks feed on submerged vegetation and buckets of corn supplied by well meaning people.
In years past there was one old guy who feed them everyday…I don’t think that is happening anymore.  While we were there a lady with a red bucket went near the shore, but the waterfowl all moved to the other side of the river….so they were not familiar with her and her bucket.

All the waterfowl seem to get along, perhaps they are old friends and meet up here every year for Christmas/New Years before heading south.

Chance enjoyed watching them…quietly.  He was such a good boy! 

Our weather is mild for Minnesota…I kinda like El Nino.  I got the shoveling caught up with yesterday and de decorated the rest of the downstairs.  Christmas decorations were sorted and put away.  All that remains is a few decorations outside and they can stay there for a while and the Shiny Brite Tree is still decorated upstairs.  I have mixed feelings about taking it down…I will take it down before I have to dust the ornaments!

Ducks and Swans

Finally I was almost blinded by the sun.  It hung around most of the morning yesterday and then in the afternoon it disappeared again.

We ran errand in town and then drove out to the point as our reward!

The Fish Hook River is open and the Swans and Ducks have sought refuge there.   There used to be an elderly man who fed them.  I am not so sure that is happening…I will have to ask my cousin Chuck he will know.

Mallard Ducks, that is a male with the pretty head and the female wears her brown dress accented with  a few beautiful violet feathers on her side. (Very technical term! )

Here is a better photograph of those violet colored feathers.

Chance was a really good boy.  He rolled down his window and stuck half his body out but didn’t growl or bark…he just watched.

Young Swans still a dirty white color but some of their new feathers are snowy white.

Two older Trumpeter Swans

We watched for quite some time…beside laundry, cleaning house and running errands it was the highlight of our day.

Mallard Babies

On a recent trip to town we stopped by Dairy Queen for a sundae.  Cherry for me and Hot Fudge for Far Guy.   We always go through the drive through, I manage a sundae in both hands until we arrive at our favorite sundae eating spot down by the river.  Chance knows I will share with him..but Far Guys chocolate is off limits.

We watch the water or kids and dogs in the park, or ducks.

A mama Mallard led her family out of the water then she headed back to the water for a bath.  She splashed and splashed.  Water flew everywhere.  The reeds were tall, I was hesitant to get too close…a long time ago I am sure I was chased by a duck.

The babies stayed huddled together on shore.

As far as I could tell there were four babies.  Good sized and already resembling their mother.  I watched where I stepped and was grateful for plastic shoes that are easy to wash off.  There was poop everywhere.  I am certain it must be from all the adult Canada Geese and not from these cute little guys:)

Chance: Hidden in the Woods

Hey it is I the handsome blogging Border Collie.  I am supposed to tell you about what was hidden in the woods..not that I was ever allowed to see it or anything..Far Side said I ran right by and didn't notice a thing.

 It all began while planting those little trees.  Far Side was driving the three wheeler with the wagon, and Far Guy was riding along hanging on for dear life and I was blazing a trail.   We had a system going.. Far Guy stabbed that big thingy into the ground to make a hole for the tree and then he puts the tree in and steps on both sides of it to cover the roots..then Far Side waters the newly planted tree.  Well let me tell you, it was warm and sunny..so I laid down and was hidden in the woods.  Far Side said that I was supposed to be the snake dog, she had one of those once, she was a Sheltie named Misty..she hated snakes and would kill them for Far Side.  One scream out of Far Side and that dog would be there shaking a snake...she was fearless..not Far Side ..the snake killing dog.  Anyways I am supposed to kill them, and if I am not up to the killing part I should just be good at the scaring them away part.  Scaring them away is fine with old fraidy cat Far Side.  She said I spent way too much time off exploring instead of protecting her..and then I was resting again, hiding in the woods.  One time I even went back home by myself and took a nap in front of the step.

We got to one area that was really wet this spring, I didn't notice a thing. My nose was going ninety miles an hour..nothing ..nadda.   I am the leader, Far Guy follows me, then Far Side on the three wheeler, everything alive and slithery should be cleared out of the way by then.  She gets off the three wheeler takes one step and screams..just a little blood curdling scream.  Far Guy thought it was a ssssnake..she sssaid "it isss aaaa duucckk."  Well she ain't afraid of no ducks.  So I kept going, Far Guy turned and said, I am leaving with the dog.  She just stood there and took photographs..she was talking to something..she said it was a Mama Duck..she told it, "We are leaving, sorry to bother you Mrs. Duck, stay calm and stay on your nest."  When Far Side says "STAY" most things including me usually stay. 

After a few minutes Far Side started up the three wheeler and moved out of the duck nesting area.  Now she feels like a real wildlife photographer..she mumbled "See, it is a good thing I am always prepared! " Since she wears that stupid camera around her neck night and day, how could she miss. Far Guy says the camera is part of her uniform..the other morning he was outside hollering for her..so she came outside in her jammies..with her camera on..he was hollering "You better get dressed we have company."  How was she supposed to know..of course the neighbors laughed and accused her of sleeping with her camera on.  I think she does take it off at night!  I am supposed to tell you that she saw the Mama Ducks eyes blink when she accidentally screamed bloody murder and the duck turned her head once..it is a Mallard Duck, they are ground nesters and sit on their nests for 28 days.:)