The Nicest Day

It was a very nice day in May, a little cooler than normal, but the sun was out and a sweatshirt was enough to keep the chill away. The geese and the other water birds are in the midst of new baby season. The geese were congregated together, watching the antics of the newbies. These were on the banks of Lake Como near the pavilion. They're just now learning to stay together and follow the big bird. They're born swimming, I think.  They'll soon be fouling (fowling?) the walks at a lake near you.

This big white water bird seems to be a great white heron.  He's standing in the Mississippi River just off the shore of Harriet Island, probably looking for food.

To be truthful, these photos were taken yesterday, but they look very much like they could have been taken today.  I've been out in the parklands quite a bit lately and the birds are very active and much in evidence.

Today I was hoping to get photos at Pike Island to post, but when I arrived at the bridge to gain access to the island, I discovered high water and "access denied."  The island is still isolated by the high waters of the Minnesota-Mississippi River below the fort.  I spent a couple of hours on the mainland side of the park, hoping to surprise a deer or two, but all I saw was a set of fairly fresh deer hoof prints.  The deer were probably taking a nap.  It was a pleasant stroll, however, and I was happy to be out in nature.

The Prairie Princess is going to be in town this weekend, partly because it's Memorial Day and that means a long weekend.  Her schedule (rather her dance card) is pretty full, but I'm hoping to learn the names of a few more wild plants while she's here.  I figured out garlic mustard and catnip the last time she was in town.

The indoor tennis season ends officially tomorrow.  The last prepaid indoor court time at Fort Snelling tennis center with the gang of geezers is at 1 p.m.  We're about to become an outdoor social club for the summer.  The size of the group increases, too, because there is more interest and some of the out of towner snowbirds are back for a summer of fun and competition.  And the outdoor courts are free.

The French Open continued today in Paris.  Kim Clijsters was upset, but mostly because she's been out because of an injury and came back without much preparation.  Clay court tennis is hard.