ice pigeon...

it went flying across the lake landscape - which had a fine dusting of ice after fog had covered over it...

...taking to the mountains she went - flying away from me

...happy day

beaver sighting...

...at my little lake today

was it expected? - no

was i excited? - you bet!

in fact, i believe i let out a medium-sized squeal - in addition to a mini-version of the happy skippy dance - i was in public after all...

common talk 'round the lake has always held to the truth - the resident beaver only comes out at night or dusk hours - maybe also very early morning time before the sun has fully risen. i was out in full daylight - so was quite surprised to see him.  in fact, thought he was a log at first until i spotted his cute little ears - and swore there was a blinking eye... then all bets were off regarding the log.  i began trying to sweet talk mr. beaver to come closer so we could chat a while.  well, he wasn't having much of that - kept slithering to and fro in the water - very gracefully i might add considering how big he was... i had no idea beavers grew to be so long! plus in the water - they appear to be ink spots if you're not looking closely - paying attention. although he didn't indulge me to come close, i knew he was listening to me - those brown eyes were blinking away - i felt privileged to be around him...

in spite of him moving so rapidly through the water, i was able to get a pretty decent shot.  although i admit when an animal is moving quickly - in the water no less - it's a challenge to capture them in focus - facing you... at least i was able to get him making eye contact with me -

proves my point he was he was listening to my chatter - or maybe he was simply making sure i wasn't going to jump in after him! 

happy day.....

family portrait...

...of ducks
.
.
.
.

who couldn't quite get their act together -

 

they dillied - they dallied...

 

they tarried around the little lake - they couldn't decide if they wanted to be in the water - or should they be on the ice... is it really worth it to have this portrait done...  there was a whole lotta quackin' happenin'... 'til they got 'rounded up - and waddled half in, half out - so it appears that they're standing on water... clever duckies - when really there's a layer of ice underneath 'em...

 

in the end - they managed to group around together - the way most families do in these situations - most dislike having their portraits taken (i know this may be a gross generalization) - it's a fuss, a bother - who said it has to be done anyway - is it really necessary... do we have to get dressed up - where's aunt betty... ho-hum...

 

personally, i believe it's important to capture family time on film - kiddos grow up too fast - precious moments you forget but would like to remember - it's a way to look back - reflect - laugh over - bond together...  share the what dids, what might have beens, what could bes in life - and ultimately, make for way more than...

 

one

 

happy day.....

water droplets...

i had some fun the other day... playing with geese at the lake...  one was drinking water - we experimented with water drops...

then... he just gave me the eye...

happy day.....