BBH - islands
Blueberry Hill – Islands – At the time of this writing our weather is hot and dry – and has been most of the summer. As a result of this scarcity of rain, the water level of the pond at the rear of our property, belonging to MIL, has been dropping. Of late this body of water has started sprouting islands as the waterline has retreated lower and lower.
Not much escapes my attention – especially the nonsensical – and my mind noted that the phrase ‘Islands in the pond’ was not nearly so catchy as ‘Islands in the stream’ and would not make as good of a song title either. The latter phrase just seems to flow better – especially since most streams flow and most ponds don’t.
These sandy spots of ground are appearing in the shallower areas and are some of the favorite spots for the geese and duck. Notice that the word duck was singular inasmuch as there is only one. There was once a brace of ducks on the pond, but they slowly started disappearing under mysterious circumstances, probably due to predators of several sorts.
One male duck was left and he was always on this pond or the neighbor’s. Then a couple of geese came in from some ponds a few miles away and he started trying to hang around with them. This worked fairly well until a whole gaggle flew in and took up residence. The geese then resisted having the smaller duck around but finally allowed him in the group – maybe as their small, short cousin.
It looks a bit odd when they fly from one pond to the other – the gaggle of geese and one lone duck. The geese also waddle around on land and ‘graze’ on many grasses and plants, and the duck just follows right along. As the water gets lower, all the waterfowl go the shallow areas and feed on whatever grows on the bottom. It looks a bit comical to me to see only goose rear-ends stuck up in the air all at the same time.
We have some thunderstorms predicted for the next several days and hopefully we can sink those pond islands again. Nonetheless I do enjoy the happenings of the world our God has created to support the creatures He also created – and we are some of the creatures as well, of course some of us are more creatural than others. ec
Not much escapes my attention – especially the nonsensical – and my mind noted that the phrase ‘Islands in the pond’ was not nearly so catchy as ‘Islands in the stream’ and would not make as good of a song title either. The latter phrase just seems to flow better – especially since most streams flow and most ponds don’t.
These sandy spots of ground are appearing in the shallower areas and are some of the favorite spots for the geese and duck. Notice that the word duck was singular inasmuch as there is only one. There was once a brace of ducks on the pond, but they slowly started disappearing under mysterious circumstances, probably due to predators of several sorts.
One male duck was left and he was always on this pond or the neighbor’s. Then a couple of geese came in from some ponds a few miles away and he started trying to hang around with them. This worked fairly well until a whole gaggle flew in and took up residence. The geese then resisted having the smaller duck around but finally allowed him in the group – maybe as their small, short cousin.
It looks a bit odd when they fly from one pond to the other – the gaggle of geese and one lone duck. The geese also waddle around on land and ‘graze’ on many grasses and plants, and the duck just follows right along. As the water gets lower, all the waterfowl go the shallow areas and feed on whatever grows on the bottom. It looks a bit comical to me to see only goose rear-ends stuck up in the air all at the same time.
We have some thunderstorms predicted for the next several days and hopefully we can sink those pond islands again. Nonetheless I do enjoy the happenings of the world our God has created to support the creatures He also created – and we are some of the creatures as well, of course some of us are more creatural than others. ec
posted by mreddie | 7:14 PM
12 Comments:
Hope you soon get some rain! We finally have started getting some, which we needed badly, too.
Ducks are helpless little creatures! We've had them in the past and they would disappear and all we would find would be the HEAD! I found that very strange!
Geese, on the other hand, get by, just by being loud and obnoxious! Lol- I'm just remembering my geese of the past! Not sure what kind you have there on your pond! Are they wild or domestic?
June
We are quite fortunate that during our canoe paddles we see many types of birds, ducks and geese. My husband knows most of them by name, and whether male or female. I've been filming them as we glide along, and hope someday to know all the different types. He can identify them by their behavior, as well as appearance, and so we will watch what they do, where they feed, what kind of calls they make. It is really quite a pleasant past-time.
junierose - The chance for rain is supposed to be nearly 50% for tomorrow but I've heard that tale before. The lone duck is a mallard and the geese are semi-wild Canadian. They seem to have taken up residence for a while.
bonita - That would seem to be a very pleasant passtime indeed - I have always enjoyed bird songs of all sorts. Don't care much for the crow though - the bird or its call. My main peeve against them is that they eat other bird's eggs and young - and my figs. ec
I pray the rains will come before the islands join and you are devoid of pond. We had much need rain here tonight—and the temperature has dropped to a reasonable 72 F. May God bless you with the same.
Hope you get your rain. We could use it too.
Thanks for the comment. I have girls preparing for the 135 mile trip already.
At least it's a charter bus so I won't have to make the drive.
Same bus line that runs from here to Yosemite - about 80 miles and the easiest way to go.
Hi Mr Eddie ~~I hope you got some rain to save your pond - those geese and one duck need it. Rain is so much better for the gardens too. I have a real aversion to crows- they are so cruel- they peck the eyes out of lambing ewes and young lambs.Many
years ago when I was driving, I came upon a crow beside a dead crow, and
I thought maybe it was sad to lose it's mate. The darn thing was eating
it.Their "caw" sound is bad enough.
I guess we need scavengers to clean up the place, but I wont ever like them. Sorry to go on. Cheers,Merle.
Interesting post and comments. No rain at our house, dry everywhere here, and no geese or ducks in our view.
Hope you get the needed rain.
Betty G
SSN - Several years back it got so bad that the islands became a peninsula and we walked out on it. We didn't become devoid of pond but it was getting fairly close before it finally rained.
granny - Somehow I wasn't thinking that you were that far from there. But you are right, the charter bus is the way to go - and leave the headaches of the driving to them.
merle - Yes, rain is so much better for the garden, I've read that it picks up some nutrients from the air and bring them down to the plants. You have added more fuel to my fires of dislike for crows - let them scavenge elsewhere besides Blueberry Hill.
boopchile - Thanks - there is supposed to be an increasing chance for rain this afternoon. It will probably be in the middle of the wedding we are going to attend - but so be it, we need it too bad to turn it down. :) Maybe I should build a shelter so that the geese and duck won't get wet. :) ec
Yes, MrEddie - I know what you mean by the torments of the crow. I haven't much use for the magpies, either - they sure did know how to polish off the roadkill on those prairie roads in Montana.
bonita - Like all the birds, crows were made for a reason - I just would like for them to leave the live baby birds alone - and my figs. ec
"maybe as their small, short cousin."
hehe
jayleigh - We did get some rain last night but it will take more than that to cover the 'islands'. ec
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