10/23/2013 University Lake ... new friends Today it was between 50 and 55 degrees, a stiff breeze blew from the north, and the skies were clear and bright. A perfect day for paddling. Paddling against the north wind made for some good exercise! Boudreaux wasnt anywhere in sight as I unloaded the kayak. I found out from my friend that he had followed two kayaks off across the lake earlier this morning. That doesnt bother me, because he needs other friends when I am not there. They came back to the boat launch just as I was getting ready to launch. Boudreaux swan up about that time and headed for them. I walked over to them to talk just as he got there, and he turned and came toward me in his attack posture, till he realized it was me. He got this surprised look in his eyes when he realized it was me, and started squealing like he was glad to see me. BUSTED! I went to launched my kayak with Boudreaux at my side. He went through his dunk and nuzzle routine, but didnt try to follow me when I left. He got a little rough with biting my hand. I dont know if maybe that was a scolding for not being here when he left with the other kayakers. It wasnt long before I started seeing trash floating in the lake. The north wind was bringing it south across the lake, and the dying back of the cover vegetation made it easier to find it. I got a surprise seeing the moon setting this morning. It was bright in the clear sky. There was a great Egret shielding itself from the north wind on the west bank, where the sun was the brightest. I got another surprise seeing Brother Pelican sitting on his log with another pelican. He is the one on the left in the photo, quite a bit larger than his visitor. It would appear that his visitor is a female, because there was some beak touching going on. The visitor is the first pelican I have seen besides Brother. It may be his mate returning to him, or the first of the migrating pelicans that come here each winter. Time will tell. As I paddled by, the visitor took off toward the north end of the lake, leaving Brother by himself. Not being able to fly too well, he paddled off to sit with another of the Great Egrets. The Pied Billed Grebes have returned to the lake again. They are another migratory bird that winters here. The are tiny and very skittish, making them hard to get close to for photos. A Snowy Egret was making the best of sitting on a submerged log, looking for breakfast. The choppy water wasnt helping things even a little. As I paddled by the frat houses, picking up whatever trash had blown across the lake, I found a nice Schwinn bicycle lying part way in the water. If it still there Friday, I will do what In can to rescue it, before it ends up in the lake. I also found another basketball which I brought home with me. It will go to some child that will give it a good home. As I turned to continue to the north bank, I saw a Great Egret sitting high above the water on what once was a mounting post for a Wood Duck nesting box. I dont think that even with its long neck, it would be able to catch a fish swimming by, but it looked as it was going to try. Two Cormorants were keeping watch on the lake, perched in the top of a Cypress tree. By the time I reached the north bank, the rear storage was completely filled with trash. Like I said, the dying bank cover is allowing more of to be seen and picked up. I made a pass under the bridge to try to see if the White Pelicans had arrived yet. As I pulled up to the weir, I noticed a Dragonfly in a state of distress. It was sitting in the shade with the cold north wind blowing over it, in a place where it could get knocked off its perch by a strong wave. It would not survive long if it didnt get some sunshine, so I caught it and took it to the bank away form the bridge. I cant say that it will survive long, but I at least gave it a better chance. The log where the pelicans congregate was covered this morning by Snowy Egrets trying to shelter from the wind. So far, no pelicans, but it wont be long if we keep getting cold fronts like we are doing. With the kayak full of trash , and time running short, I headed back south to the beach and Boudreaux. He was happy to see me coming and happier to get his Cheerios. Afterwards he ot his bath and headed off for a nap. With the trash emptied and the kayak loaded it was time to head home. Just as I was about to turn onto my street, I passed a Jeep with a trailer behind it sitting in a store parking lot. The coffin sitting on the trailer was excuse enough to stop and find out why it was there. The details will be topic of another post.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 02:13:12 +0000
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