RED-ON-RED

I've been keeping an eye out, hoping that leucistic cowbird will put in another appearance, so the fluttering white at the base of the red maple really caught my attention. But it wasn't the cowbird, it was a handsome male red-headed woodpecker. It was getting ready to rain, so the light isn't great, but there he is. I spill seed there for the pair of mallards who still come, but our timing isn't always in sync, and the crowd of other birds hoover it up before the ducks get there. I hope the woodpecker will bring the missus next time; I've never seen a female.

THE PERFECT DAY

Everyone knows what a perfect day is like where they live. Around here, it’s a day like this one, where the temp is about 25 C/ 78 F, with a slight offshore breeze that calms the Lake, and no humidity or bugs to speak of. The dog days will come, when the air is so hot and humid it feels nearly the same as your body temperature, and you can barely feel yourself breathe. And there will be stormy days, when pounding gales whip up waves that splash over the breakwall and water the lawn, and leave muddy spray streaking the windows. But right now it’s perfect, serene and quiet – a few pleasure boats, the big ferry heading out to Sandusky, Ohio, a huge group (called a crèche) of Canada geese having a group outing with the offspring, the goslings nearly as big as the adults.

I took the first picture from the door of my back porch a few minutes ago. The red maple makes a wonderful dark canopy of shade on the lawn. If you click to enlarge, you'll be able to see the ferry and a few other small boats. Hope you all are having a perfect day, too, wherever you are!