It started out a sad day... The Blackbird (Grackle) Nest outside the kitchen window that I have been watching the birds build and lay in, was on the ground. I went out to it and it was empty... 6 eggs were scattered and broken, unhatched babies all dead :( I was heartbroken. I know this is "nature" and things like this happen. I know it, but I still feel like these birds are my "pets" and I love them. I felt so sad.
I brought the nest in the house to add to my collection and picked up 3 black feathers. I decided to go out for a walk and take my camera, hoping to see something that would cheer me up.
The neighbors' daffodils and butterfly bush were so bright and lovely with the lake in the background, yellow dandelions all around, the sun shining... I felt a little better.
I kept walking... I have been watching the geese pairs and waiting to see babies (goslings) but I was not feeling hopeful. I noticed another neighbor's Lilac bush starting to blossom.
I was feeling better. Life is a cycle of death and birth. I have to accept it and toughen up.
I kept walking.
Then I saw one goose on the grass close to the lake and I had a feeling... a nest! There is probably a nest down by the water. I started walking down toward the lake staying behind trees so I wouldn't spook the goose. Then I saw it's mate. They were going for a swim.
Then I saw them... the BABIES!!!
I got as close as I could to get pictures.
There were 7 goslings!
OHHHH... HAPPINESS!!!
They went out into the middle of the lake so I couldn't get more good photos. But I was happy. I went back up to the road and continued on my walk.
I saw the other pair of geese on the other side of the road on the pond...
And... MORE BABIES!!!
Is this not the cutest scene? I was overjoyed!
This is where the turtles sun-bathe and I was able to just sit and watch the geese parents take their little babies for a stroll along the shore and swim across the pond to the other side where the turtles lay out on logs.
Look closely at where the one little gosling is standing on the feet of dad :-)
I was in my "happy place" and couldn't ask for more at the moment but when I pulled back on my zoom to get a bigger picture I saw something else...
My cows are back!
I have missed them. I had just asked Richard where my white cows had gone and he said the farmer probably sold them. That's the way of life here.
I was so happy to see these.
So right here in this photo, if you look closely you can see the geese with their babies, the turtles sun bathing, and my white cows.
The geese parents decided to take their little ones back across the pond.
Dad is teaching them how to walk on water I guess : )
Mom is showing them they need to eat.
Oh my goodness... that little one is really working on that piece of green food.
What a nice family portrait.
Then the parents took their babies on land to eat.
Walking right on by the turtles.
This little gosling turned around to look at the little turtles.
The geese went up into the grass and I decided I had taken enough photos of them for the time being. I turned back to the cows.
Hello cutie! And look... a baby turtle is soaking up the sun on the log.
Oh wow... At first I thought she was covered in mud or grease or something. Then I realized she just has a unique coloring.
So I was just overflowing with joy and peace in my heart.
I started to head back down the road.
But the blackbirds wanted my attention.
This one put on a show for me
Once he had my full attention he jumped down to the reeds along the water's edge and started his acrobatics
It was an impressive show...
I don't know why he was hanging upside down but it was a real treat for me.
And when he was done he posed for one last picture.
Thank you sir!
I thought I was done with my joy-filled photo session for the day but I heard the Cardinal calling.
I looked up to see him engaging with a couple of sparrows, and a nest.
I am still surprised that the Cardinals haven't left. I guess this male and his mate like it here and maybe they will stay.
So that's life in the country.
That is how "nature" works.
There were 6 babies lost that day and I can't help but feel sadness about it. But there are many new lives just getting started.
Patty Hagedorn Photography
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