Ducks and Goslings: New Arrivals...

Vernonia Lake has some new arrivals for all who walk, bike and jog around the lake to see. There's a Mallard duck couple with 7 ducklings. They were eating the cracked corn someone put down for them a few mornings ago. There are also 5 goslings with their proud parents, being watched over, and learning the ropes of a new world, post-egg.

This morning I read about the Gulf of Mexico oil gusher, damaging countless animals and wildlife, bats dying with some kind of white nose (fungal) problem, and honeybees that keep disappearing. We are the stewards of our environment. What we don't watch over, will surely impact us for years, and may lead to our civilization's demise. Monsanto for instance, has ensured population control with their GMO foods, and the control of much of the seed bank. Check out this link to learn ten things you  may not know about MONSANTO .

When we look on store shelves, and find processed products made of corn and soy, we are looking at 90% GMO products. Check out Dr. Mercola's ARTICLE ON GMO CONSEQUENCES.
You will want to know this information.
I bought the bumper sticker once that said: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. I saw it in my things the other day...

Offerings of Vernonia Lake

Today I walked around the path at Vernonia Lake, met one of the past City Council members walking her sweet old Airedale, and walked around with her, a second time. We both commented how different the lake looks each time we come. There is always some new discovery, a different mood or color scheme. The weather and time of day and wildlife offer a new palette many times within the same day. There is something serene in a reflection of sky in water. The old mill cement remnants are caught in some of the photos. I'll try to get them all in with future blog entries.

A flock of slender-necked geese headed skyward from the lake, honking loudly. A little boy was fishing. Two couples sat near some picnic benches talking. One couple came on a Harley, though the air is still chilly, especially when the sun starts going down. The moon was up as I made the last lap, and the reflection in the water reminded me of the many night scenes. Sometimes the bald eagle pair fly with new young. Ospreys share the hunting ground with the eagle. Ducks swim nervously in a huddle when these birds of prey arrive.

Today the black Coots swam in their neighborhood, wild ducks noisily negotiated in another while the larger domestic ducks swam off when I approached the grassy banks, sending familiar ripples outward. I took several pictures, and will include some of them.