10 December 2011

Saturday Snowscape at Carter Lake

It was a wonderful winter snowscape early in the morning at Carter Lake on Saturday, December 10th. In pre-dawn, a partial eclipse of the full moon was obvious in the western sky.

Looked closely at the birdlife and walking along the lake shore to get the best vantage point. When nearly done, Johnny law officer arrived trudging through the snow from the parking lot to the lake shore. He mentioned the ice was probably not safe and should not be walking on it, giving a couple of reasons, which seemed plausible. After his commentary, and after being asked, he said someone had called stating a person was walking on the ice. The caller was obviously in error, as my route had not been other than on dry land and along the immediate shoreline.

Temps eventually warmed slightly, and sufficiently to end the shivering, which at times made it wobbly while looking at the wildbirds at their bit of ice free waters.

After completing a survey of the waterfowl and waterbirds, some images were taken of the setting. It had finally warmed sufficiently to end the shivering, which at times made it wobbly while looking at the wildbirds at their bit of ice free waters.

Note the white colored, odd sort of waterfowl at the lower right of the picture. Wherever it winged in from, it is sticking with others of its ilk at the gathering of the lake.

Following the floodplain outing, a quick visit was made to Hummel Park, to document the lack of window coverings at the Nature Center. The structure continues to be a hazard for birds flying among the woods.