There is a lake just down the road from us that is pleasant for walking around. Over the years, I've seen a lot of bird life come and go there. I've seen koi spawning and fish rescues when the lake flow is turned off and fish are stranded in isolated pockets of water.
There is always a Huey, Dewy, and Louie floating around and they are very bold. The lake used to be very popular for families to visit. Moms and dads used to arrive with kids in hand and bags of crackers and day old bread. But lately, not so much.
Several months ago, the campus PTBs posted signs all around the lake and park area warning that it was a federal offense and punishable with a high fine, if you were caught feeding the ducks. I don't know about you but I remember going with the kids to local lakes and ponds to feed the ducks. It was practically a right of passage. Now I see many fewer people enjoying the lake and the bird population is actually noticeably lower.
There must have been quite a little duck dust up because as I was walking I found myself in a literal pillow fight of feathers. This one was sticking straight from the ground like a wildly gone awry dart.
Today though, I had a happy surprise. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement and I saw two turtles sliding off a rock, startled by my approach. They had been sunning themselves.
I was lucky enough to catch this one though as it surfaced. Now, as I take my walks, I will look out ahead of myself and be on the watch for turtles sunning themselves.
12 comments:
Nice pictures, I love the color of the water. There have been big articles in the paper here about not feeding the ducks. The bread makes their bones get holes and it kills them a slow death. Bread is not good for ducks. Our local park provides duck food in little boxes, you put in some change and get a bag of it.
I had no idea, Ginny. Thanks for the info. I wonder if I would be cited if I actually fed them proper food.
What a lovely spot! Yes, our local parks provide food for the ducks as well.
How wonderful to have turtles in your pond, and to be quick enough to capture one on camera, the colours too, lovely.x
i love that there is a lake close enough for you to walk too! there are two ponds outside our home and they offer so much beauty, life and peace.
love also your turtles!
i am thinking
if the government puts up signs telling
folks NOT to feed the ducks,
they should explain
briefly WHY
as Ginny has done...
there were little stations
with Real Duck food
along many ponds
in Florida
but
then Evil Vandals
broke into them ...
it
is
always
something...
♥
{{ thanks for sharing! }}
How wonderful you have this place near by ~ lovely shots ~~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)
Walks are wonderful simply because you never know what you'll see--if your eyes are open, of course!
Paradise In the Mercado
Oh, Annie, isn't it fun to have a special natural spot so close to home? I feel that way about my "ditch." This reminds me of it and makes me smile with delight that you have "your spot."
we have signs too down here about feeding the ducks. We use to always take the kids to do that.
Over at Fairmont Park in Riverside they have signs posted now to not feed ducks.
i love seeing turtles sunning themselves. We have a park in Rancho Cucamonga - where a lot of turtles hang out.
Oh how sad to read that message. Feeding ducks is one of the real pleasures of childhood.
Brilliant having water locally to walk around.
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