Pullet Sized Northern Flicker?

Darren spotted two birds on the boat shed this morning.  They were large, round fluffy, with red on the heads and a black collar at the throat. 

We watched them as then flew down to the sand pit.  Then the bird with the most color started pecking at the wood.  He moved back and forth – pecking.  Soft little taps. He has a long black beak.

He looks like a northern flicker – but has the breast meat of a chicken, more like a pullet. They have got to be the fattest Northern Flickers Ever. We have had an abundance of large black ants lately. Hmmm.

What do you think? Fat Northern Flicker?
(Double Click Photo to View Larger Image)

  

What do you think?  They don’t quite seem to have the spots?

CannonBall Run – Jonnylego Style

 

Even when it was 61 in town today –
it was still in the 80’s out here. :)
Banana Belt of Devils Lake. :)

Flip Side of JonnyLego

Warm Water had flipped more than the thermometer around here:

Is the Water Warm in Devil’s Lake?

Last week – after mowing our park like setting on a hot July day – I put my lawn chair at water’s edge.  Cool the piggy's.  Water loosening the green soles of my feet.

I was surprised when the water felt warm. I have sat on the dock and dunked my feet – but it always felt cold.  I stood up and waded out to my knees.  Yep. That was as far as the warm went.

So far the only relationship I’ve had with the water is looking at the waves, and dipping my feet off the dock.

Then we had a week of 90 degree days.

And the lake filled up with people.

And my boys have been in the water all day every day.

They have been swimming back and forth to houses with kids swimming at the docks.  Bringing back kids – paddling all over.

So yesterday I got my swim wear on – Board shorts, a nice suit and a tank top – went out in the boat where the people are swimming, and jumped out.

I was SO surprised when there was no moment of cold shock. The water was warm. Enveloped. I felt light. Bouyant. Free. It was more comfortable than pool water – and no chlorine smell. :) Just fir trees, honeysuckle and clean mountain fed water.

Jon and I swam for a couple of hours. Back and forth. Round and Round. I woke this morning with every  muscle in my body aching.

I can’t wait for the fog to lift to go back out again. :)

The Water is Clear. The Temps are Hot. The Discovery is Amazing.

Anyone know what species of fish this is? 

Advection Fog

We are learning about Advection Fog this week over at Some Schooling -  Here are some pictures from this morning.  Day 3 of the high pressure heat flow off the Pacific Ocean onto the Central Oregon Coast and over East Devils Lake. :)

6 am

Evaporation fog pulling up from the Advection Fog. Hard to photograph! Showing how the fog moves off in a period of 5 minutes, these were taken at 7am.

Double Click the Photos Below for a larger view.

       

This last one is for my dad, shot straight up from the deck close to the coffee pot – so he doesn’t chicken out and not come on Monday. Had to show what was going on behind me. :)

Yankee Doodle Dandies

A morning walk today – Shows new visitors to the Mil-Mar.

The American Goldfinch are getting much more brave –
they must feel safe now. Mamma Mallard brought over the babies to show me this morning as I sat on the dock. I even had my feet in the water, splashing the warm water. Still – she seemed intent on the presentation.

Mamma seems young. She was frazzled this morning. It is July 5th. I name her babies Yankee Doodle Dandies. So far the others have shown up tiny, but not this tiny- and past chicks had some  larger than the others at my first spotting.  All of these look identical in age.  I’m wondering if the chicks were born early due to the fireworks, noise, vibrations, & extra peoples all over the lake? 2-3 Babies walk on one lily pad. My shots of them moving are blurred, they are SUPER fast!

I read that papa molts during the laying season.  I think that this guy is one of our other babies – just now loosing the last of the fuzz to show his brilliant color. How would our teen boys feel to go through this stage? Even his bill is not yet yellow.

 

Can’t help it – trying to show just how tiny these little ones are. Smallest batch so far!

Another little boy shedding his baby feathers.
 

We finally have beach near our yard, so now we can see who comes and goes in the morning. Raccoon washing his breakfast? Possum?

New flowers by the yard.

 

Sorry – Just can’t help it. They are just too cute!

I have learned that a group of mallard chicks are called by many different names – battling, daggle, doppling, lute and sword.

This female Mallard has 7 chicks in her sword. :)

 

This morning I had come out to pick up fire work remains and read. Glad I got to see the babies.
I’m praying for mountains to move right now – fig trees to perish.
I am glad the the Lord keeps my Joy Full while I wait. :)

Joy of Morning!

Oh the Joy of Morning!
Water Flat.
Birds Singing.
Air Crisp.
Mist Rising.
Salt Air Hanging in the Honeysuckle.
Canoes Slicing.
Through the morning calm.
How Do I Paddle Through the Morning Calm?
Let it envelope me. I cling to the peace. To the Freshness.
To the uncertainty of the day. For the Hope of Christ’s Return.
Knowing He has sent a Comforter while we wait.
I sip the coffee. Wet my toes on morning dew. Pet the dog. 
Deep breath that comes from the fresh aroma of a new day.

Sunrise on the Lake on the Eve of Independence Day - 2010.
  
This is the most Pink/Red/Purple I could pull in on a tiny pocket camera. I can tell you that what the eye saw – and what my Nikon L22 Coolpix Saw were two different things. But this one was close-ish.

 
Sun Rises over these trees – it is still the 5 o clock hour. Pinks and blues are lighting.  This corner is our house – the house behind “Our Yearly Tree” is the neighbor’s.

Year Long Tree Study – In Summer – At Sunrise.

Cousin Invasion!

We’ve had Cousin Invasion at the Mil-Mar!  We also have two new nieces that have joined the Wright Family.  I think I’d like to keep them. :)

Early Morning Fishing:

Late Night Paddle Boating:

Fisher Boys and Watcher Girls:
 

 

So for those of you who are not wanting to see 463 pictures of “Cousin Times” you might want to click on the Read All on my Lake Blog for a couple of days. :)