Wednesday Treasures...Where Do I Begin?

Where do I begin?  Here it is Wednesday afternoon, and there's so many different pictures to show you I may have to break it up over the next couple of days. Let's get started and when I think you've had enough I'll stop! LOL.  

Remember on Monday I told you about some excitement on Still Waters Pond? (CLICK HERE if you didn't see that post)   Remember that I told you about Mrs. Sand  Hill Crane laying an egg and all the Canada Geese were hanging around bugging them all day long?  Well, they continued to do so for the next couple of days, making a lot of honking noises and splashing and just being regular pests.  But then they kind of moved around into the little cove around the other side of the big island in the pond and stayed there, but they were still making all kinds of noise, so I decided to go see what was going on:

I was hiding in my little hideaway spot behind the bushes so they couldn't see me, and they didn't seem to be bothered by my presence at all.  They were pretty much concentrating on whatever was going on amongst their little group there on the island and in the water around the island.  These photos are pretty amazing to me, and I hope you will enjoy them.

What I have deduced from all of their noise and activity is that perhaps they are also in their mating season, and this couple up on the island appear to be the older members of the group, perhaps the parents of the others, and I'm thinking they just want some privacy and time alone without the others bugging them...

I thought perhaps they might even be starting to build a nest up on the island, as that has been their nesting location in some years past...of course who knows if this is the same family or not?  The last couple who nested here a few years ago ended up with 3 living baby goslings...the fourth one died before they could leave this area to go to the big lake nearby.  The moved to the big lake and that is where they seem to live for most of the time, except when they fly over here and swim around for a while and entertain us.

But I'm wondering if this is that same family...Mom and Dad and three younger geese...it could be...

And if so, will they build a nest on the island and stay and start a new little family?  If so, what will the "kids" do while Mom and Dad are nesting? Seems like they should be old enough to be out on their own, but I really don't know how the goose family does things...

Aren't they a lovely couple?

And here's two of the kids, and the third one in the next picture...

They keep bugging the parents, 

but then eventually the three decided to swim away and give Mom and Dad some privacy

But that was yesterday...and this morning they were still out there in the pond, harassing Mr. and Mrs. Crane for a while, and then suddenly they all took off and I haven't seen them again this afternoon. We shall see what develops.  Never a dull moment here on "Still Waters Pond", that's for sure!

Meanwhile, I thought you'd enjoy seeing how Mr. and Mrs. Crane are living out there on their tiny little island!  It amazes me that they have chosen this small little scrap of marsh to build their nest on, but they seem quite happy with their accommodations.  

And as far as I can see, there is still just one egg in the nest.  It is hard to see when the sun is so bright, but what I have seen looks like one very large egg.  Time will tell if there is another one...

Thought you'd enjoy these views of Mrs. Crane keeping vigil until time for her baby to be born.

Mr. Crane is never very far away, and he will come and give her a break now and then so she can get something to eat and stretch her legs.

Meanwhile, back on shore, the bluebirds are still busily working on their nest. I haven't forgotten them, but I've just been distracted by all the other stuff going on! 

And then today the Goldfinches started showing up at their special finch feeder! They aren't pretty and golden yet, but they will continue to turn yellow as the spring progresses and as they travel further north for breeding.

And I enjoyed trying to follow a beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly around as he was enjoying the nectar from the Carolina Jessamine flowers that are blooming so beautifully.

Carolina Jessamine

We've been working on this song in choir practice, "I Know He Watches Me".  It's a blend of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and "God Leads His Dear Children Along"....and I kept thinking about this song while sharing all these pictures of the geese, cranes, and other birds.   You might enjoy listening to it while you look at all the pictures above. I guess I should've put this first, but either way, you might enjoy it.  It combines parts of two familiar songs that give us a sense of comfort and peace while we navigate this world filled with difficulties and surprises. Perhaps this is a good way to close this post. I hope you enjoy the song.

Here are the lyrics to both of those old hymns, not exactly the way they are sung in this choir anthem, but it gives you the idea...

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel dis­cour­aged,

Why should the sha­dows come,

Why should my heart be lone­ly,

And long for Heav’n and home,

When Je­sus is my por­tion?

My con­stant friend is He:

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me;

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me.

Refrain:

I sing be­cause I’m hap­py,

I sing be­cause I’m free,

For His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me.

Let not your heart be trou­bled,

His ten­der word I hear,

And rest­ing on His good­ness,

I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He lead­eth,

But one step I may see;

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me;

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me.

Refrain

Whenever I am tempt­ed,

Whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sigh­ing,

When hope with­in me dies,

I draw the clos­er to Him,

From care He sets me free;

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me;

His eye is on the spar­row,

And I know He watch­es me.

Refrain

God Leads Us Along

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,

God leads His dear children along;

Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain:

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long.

2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,

God leads His dear children along;

Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

3. Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,

God leads His dear children along;

Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,

God leads His dear children along;

Away up in glory, eternity’s day,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Hope you enjoyed this visit to Still Waters Pond today!!