Walking on Ice

I had not planned on walking down on the lake. So, when I ended up down there I was sans my camera. Thank goodness for the ease of cameras on a cell phone! This was on Friday afternoon, April 28. The photos are sort of 'mixed'. I'd take a step and see something I felt was intriguing and then step further. The first one is a favorite. Ice, water, reflections, and sky. 

Not having a ruler with me, you can't really tell how thick the ice is. Granted, it is weak on the edges of the lake, but the further out you walk, the more sturdy it is. (NO I am not wandering out on it, no matter how sturdy it might appear!)

 For all the snow we've had, it seems odd to see how far back the 'water' is.

 Cracks and breaks made by the grasses inside the ice.

 This photo below makes me the most sad, it is so barren of water. In the second photo, taken on May 5, 2015, from the lake, you can tell how much more water there was a few years back. The two photos are of the same area--different view point. As mentioned previously, I was not going out to the center of the lake!

Not quite preserved in ice!

 The snow on the lake is decidedly rotten. Breaking to bits at the step of a foot. The ice underneath might break with some exertion (I jumped on it!), though.

 I liked the geometric shapes inside the surface here. If you look at it in a larger scope, you can 'see' the crystals. Super fun!

 While getting the ice/water shots, I went thru!!!!!

 Reflections of the past, present, and promises for the future. It is pretty chilly, yet. There is still a great deal of ice just inches under the topsoil, but spring is working its way past the surface to stir frozen roots.

Fowl Play Spring!

Birds of all kinds are arriving every day. The morning song is varied and full of cheering notes. But, the Kenai is still holding on to winter. It is slowly fading, but not quite fast enough for the birds! They are truly calling foul. 

 The mallards have come back, they are VERY put out. They are supposed to be paddling in the lake, not striding across it! They were so funny to listen to as they hiked...waddled? You could hear them slosh, step, slosh, sploosh, slosh, step. The sploosh was when they hit a more slushy patch. There are a few 'puddles' on the ice, not much good for more than getting their webs wet. Some spots on the lake are clear (remember the day I walked around the lake?), it doesn't add up to much, though!

 Today, April 24, I finally sighted Swans on Bishop Lake. Ok, a single swan. I am going to go back to see if I can get much better photos. These were taken from the verge near the road facing Bishop Lake. Opposite of where I hiked last post. I was pretty excited to see this gorgeous creature. Dogs and man have disturbed the pair so often, they end up hiding for most of the season. I will be incredibly careful as I sneak up on this pair. I am assuming there are two, there always are!

We have had a smidge of rain out north. Every bit helps in the melting of the ice. Every drop reveals new life hiding in the frozen earth. Spring in Alaska is winged. Although, I miss the array of color in Oregon, I'm loving the plumage on the returning snowbirds.

Down by the Dock-April 19

I didn't realise I had not posted these yet. The photos are from a really nice day last week. I was out and about and I decided to see how the beach was. It took a bit to get to it, but the sun shining on the rocks brought out colors galore! It was super calm, a perfect day for walking along the tide line. 

 Ice shelves on the shore, melting into yucky puddles of sandy goo.

 Below are some folks from Arkansas. The man and woman have kids who moved to Alaska and so, they are going to follow! Today, they are fishing for halibut.

 This was what you had to carefully cross to get to the sand!

 Still wintery in spots-I didn't mean to pick up rocks, but well. I did!!!! Just a handful, but it was enough. For now.

Alaska!

This upside down tree makes me laugh each time I see it.

 Reminders of the OSU Beavers are everywhere!

My heart is in Alaska. Yup, it is. 

 

love this signage--typical of Alaska. 

                                  Sailboats on the inlet---reminded me of the book "Watch for a Tall White Sail" by Margaret Bell.

                 I found this chinaman's hat shell...and it had a feather in it!!!!!!!!!!

 This was a fun photo..cept I was worried my toes would get wet. Can you see the sailboat?

 a very very very odd clear earth worm looking thing I did not touch...only took a photo of it...

 MINE MINE MINE MINE~Finding Nemo.

 Eagle over Redoubt.

 Alaska's State Bird!