Wildlife at Home, the Wetlands and Lakeside Park

What on earth was the beaver doing out and about at this time in the morning? That was the question running through my mind as I noticed the deep ripples running over the surface of Shoemaker Creek. It was hard to tell from the distance I was at, but the beaver appeared to be diving repeatedly in the same area, which was really unusual behaviour. It submerged again and so I moved closer watching the trail of bubbles. The thought of the beaver being caught on one of the fishing lines that I regularly pull out of the creek flashed through my mind. The beaver surfaced. This was no beaver, it was a large mass of shells and claws tumbling through the water. I'd stumbled upon two huge male snapping turtles and these two were looking to best each other for ownership of this stretch of Shoemaker Creek and the breeding rights that go with it. They were both attempting to hold their rival underwater. Their nostrils spewed out jets of water from what they'd inhaled. ...

I made a claim in my last post in regards to the timing of the snapping turtles nesting and the full moon. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps I was a little presumptuous in that assertion, or maybe I was correct in that it was the full moon that triggered the initial nesting. Anyway, as always it was awesome to see the snappers out and about and here is one more photo from that morning and an explanation of why I now believe I may not have been completely correct. A few mornings have come and gone since the snapping turtles left Shoemaker Lake and made their walk up the bank to nest. There were, unfortunately no more sightings of the snapping turtles since that morning. I'd taken an assortment of photos during that time: A series of shots of a great blue heron as it lifted itself clear of the lake. And also this beautiful little killdeer feeding; taking full advantage of the waterlogged ground at the base of Shoemaker Lake. Then a storm hit us on Tuesd...

My morning started pretty much the same as yesterday. I took to the vantage point on the protruding tree trunks by the edge of the lake. I had a good sight of Lakeside Park from there and also of the trees on the bank. That was the plan, to capture the first rays of the sun as they hit the trees and hopefully snag a picture or two of the birds. I waited there with the red-winged blackbirds perched around me. They moved to the higher branches, preening themselves in anticipation of the sun: No sign of the beaver today, it must have been keeping busy on the other side. There was one lone duckling which must have hatched late. It called out for a parent as it swam across the lonely expanse. I did not hold much hope for its survival, poor thing: The other mallard ducks were feeding further down the lake's side between the two seated areas, seemingly unconcerned with the little duckling. All of a sudden, there was a huge commotion. Lots of splashing which seemed to be coming f...