A December Gift.....

When we moved up to Port Washington we did so because our condo overlooked Lake Michigan and we love watching that lake change hour by hour. We never get tired of walking along the shore. What we didn't really expect or even think about was the fact that our condo would put us in the middle of almost everyday sightings of some pretty interesting wildlife. At this point, if we walk along the lake or up the bike path we consider it a must....we keep walking until we spot something!

It normal now notice deer all year long, and the rabbits and squirrels. We see chipmunks and the occasional mouse or shrew. We've spotted the great horned owl who nests up the path and even seen her fledglings in the spring. Once I saw the fox run down the hill and disappear up the path in front of me. I've seen the wild turkeys awkwardly fly across from one side of our stream to the other. We see the salmon going upstream in the fall. I can't even begin to list all the birds we've seen.....small and large.

But about a week ago we saw a couple stopped on the path as we walked back toward home....they were obviously watching something. We all stood (six plus feet apart) and watched as the little weasel popped up and looked at us, then disappeared for a minute before popping up again as if to say "You guys still here?" His winter coat made him easy to spot. This is a stock photo but here he is!

I watch for him now every time I walk Fenway up the path....so far no repeat visit but maybe today.

This morning's walk down to the harbor gave us a real gift. People had been posting pictures of this particular duck on Facebook saying it was in Port Washington. So Dave, Fenway and I walked down at 9:00.....Dave prepared with his camera and long lens. Success! What a beautiful long tail duck.....passing through and stopping here on it's trip all the way from the Arctic. 

A big thank you to Mother Nature.....she shared a special moment with two very appreciative fans this morning. A December gift......