Please pardon my long absence. After our trip to Poland, we’ve been busy with lots of interesting things and I’m just getting back to the posts. We are back at the lake, so I thought I’d share some images from here.

These images span three separate kayaking trips from early June through early July.

I caught this merganser just as it was taking flignt.

These geese flew over as we paddled below.

I got several images of this heron, and other birds, along the shore.

And, finally, we have loons. I saw pair a few weeks ago, and again this week, but couldn’t get a photo of them together. Instead, I captured them individually.

I’ve not seen many turtles this year, but then I haven’t been over across the lake to the place they use for sunning themselves. Those I’ve seen have been on the western side of the lake near the south end,

I had never seen a turtle sunning on a lily pad before.

Snakes aren’t always popular, but I enjoy seeing them. This is a diamondback water snake basking in the sun on a branch above the water. This species is non-venomous and harmless to humans.

These damselflies are hard to capture because they don’t stay put for very long.

I’ll close with the water lilies. I always enjoy seeing these pop out

Happy Independence Day! Happy 250th birthday of our great country. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Mark