Month: February 2026

Terrapin Tussle

/ Rebecca / 9 Comments

There was a touch of terrapin drama during our last visit to the lake.  The rising temperatures had them out soaking up the sun. In one location, an individual had taken possession of an ideal position at the “climbing on” section of a log.  Even though there was plenty of room for others, this terrapin refused to share. We watched as two others tried to climb onto the log, but he used his body to block them and his foot to push them back into the water. Despite their attempts, neither of the two newcomers was able to secure a position on the log.  Ultimately, they gave up and went on their way to look for another place to bask in the sun.

Other terrapin that we saw that day had greater success at sharing their sunning spots.

“Getting knocked down in life is a given. Getting up and moving forward is a choice.” ~Zig Ziglar

Reluctantly Sharing a Catch

/ Rebecca / 33 Comments

For a couple of weeks, the roads and lake were covered in ice. Once the temperatures rose and the ice started to melt, we ventured out to enjoy the lake’s beauty. The ice and snow added an extra layer of charm to a well-known setting.

The highlight of the excursion was watching two adult and three juvenile bald eagles perched way out on the frozen lake. Each eagle was striving to secure its portion of a sizable fish that had been caught. They were certainly putting on a show with their posturing, prancing and high-pitched cries.

“Life is filled with treasures, if you’re a lucky one. Be grateful and be humble, and share them with someone.” ~Julie Hebert

A Flurry of Confusion

/ Rebecca / 25 Comments

This last week, a flock of over a hundred American Robins unexpectedly descended upon our neighborhood, bringing with them noise and chaos. They appeared ravenously hungry, favoring the bright red berries on the holly bushes.

Besides eating berries, the robins foraged through the farm fields and along the roadsides for scattered grains and seeds, while also drinking from and bathing in puddles created by melting snow.

Once they had satisfied their appetite, they congregated on adjacent branches to roost for the night.

They lingered for a couple of days, systematically stripping the berries from the bushes and gathering those that had fallen to the ground.

Our resident Mockingbird, quite displeased with the invasion of his turf, occasionally dived-bombed the bushes, vocally expressing his dissatisfaction with the circumstances. The native cardinals faded into the background and were often nowhere to be found.

Eventually, apart from a handful of stragglers remaining as part of the clean-up crew, the flock departed as swiftly as it had arrived.

Silence and tranquility prevailed once more.

“Four things to learn in life: To think clearly without hurry or confusion; To love everybody sincerely; To act in everything with the highest motives; To trust God unhesitatingly.” ~Helen Keler