Some Creatures Great and Small

The Mister and I were out bike-riding yesterday and ended up circling the Town Center Lake. We stopped for a moment and tried out the new benches - very comfortable! - and he snapped a couple of pictures. I think this is a white heron, though I am open to correction; they sit staring at the water for a while looking for fish to munch on:



On the other side of the lake, we saw these 3 ducklings swimming. You might have to click on the picture to get the full size just to see the tiny critters:



There had been some reports about them and the apparent lack of a maternal unit, and that they were unable to exit the lake. Someone had put a board along the edge to encourage them out, but by the time we were there, the board was floating around the lake along with the ducklings.

There was a question about the lakes at Highland Groves, whether they are stocked with fish yet. The answer is, well, yes and no: there are fish in the lake, but mostly tilapia and other fairly small fish so far. There are no bass yet; it will take a little longer before the fishing experience at the Highland Groves lakes is very satisfying.

And as long as we are talking about creatures, listen to this email from the Higley Groves West HOA president from about a week ago:

I've lived here five years and have not really had a wildlife sighting in the neighborhood, with the exception of birds, scorpions and spiders. This morning, at 6:30 am, I passed a large adult coyote in the west retention basin. He or she was headed south in the grass, while I was headed north on the gravel path. Neither of us stopped, but we certainly watched each other pass. That was a first!

That's by far the most exciting creature-sighting of all...