The Ducks are Gathering
The days are getting shorter, noticeably shorter. At 5:30 AM it is almost too dark to see the waterfowl as they gather each morning in the cove on our lake. Every day more and more ducks congregate. Three weeks ago their were four ducks, each day a few more appear until this morning I counted a total of fifty. Later every morning they disappear, only to return again at dusk. I wonder if this a preparation ritual for the fall migration.
Even though it is only August 15th, summer seems to be over. Today fresh snow showed the very top of our local mountain, Pioneer Peak. Mornings have been cool, today it was 49 degrees. Rain has been falling for seven days in a row with an accumulation of more than two inches in the last two days. That is a lot of rain for this region of Alaska, I’m beginning to feel like I live in the wet southern panhandle. The lake is gray reflecting the dark sky, and the air feels chilly and damp.
Nothing much has happened on the water except for the constant presence of the Grebes, resting and floating in their designated places. We’ve become so accustomed to seeing them that we almost forget they are there, until the quiet is pierced by their chattering, cackling call. The waterfowl seem to know the seasons better than we do. Spring was very cold and late this year and the ducks arrived later than usual, it will be interesting to see when they leave this fall.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
August 28th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
I have spent the entire summer watching and noting the nests and off spring of the red necked grebes on West Lake. I am curious about which lake you are on. I suspect it may be Big Lake which is quite close. I went out today in my little row boat and only saw seven chicks that are practicing their flight for migration. Yesterday I saw many more. I think fall is fast on its way.
Elaine
August 28th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I envy you, most of the chicks on our lake were taken by the Bald Eagle. Very few made it this year. Our biggest problem is “recreational boating”. Did you read the article in the Anchorage Daily News last Sunday by Elizabeth Manning “Nesting waterfowl are losers when boaters don’t pay heed”? I’m going to contact her and get some “Do not Disturb. Bird Nesting Area” signs from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Gail