Early Morning Reminder- why I love lake living in the country

Is Spring finally here?

When I got up this morning and opened the curtains, I saw the heron! We enjoyed watching him all last summer. Even though I knew it was too dark for a good picture, I had to try. Then, as I was getting ready to snap the shot, the geese swam by.

While I was waiting for more light, I was thinking about how much I have missed watching the wildlife since the weather changed. Last summer, along with usual kinds of birds and waterfowl, we also had occasional visits from swans. Across the lake, we watched a mother deer and two little ones come in to drink and swim. We would sit on the pier and watch the fish, turtles, frogs, and snakes. There were also squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and skunks.

I had to pull myself away to get the kids up and around for school. As the sun rose a little more, I stopped and snapped another picture.

After the buses came for the kids, I came back to check the light. It was still a little too dark. It was so quiet, I could hear all the birds around the feeders and the sounds from the woods. At dawn and in the evening, we can hear so many sounds from the different animals. I remembered sitting around listening and guessing sounds with the kids. And laughing when the sound was from the bison ranch next door.

I had just convinced myself I could be a little late for work. In a few minutes, the light would be perfect.

But the heron had other plans.