In our element

On our second time back at Cavendish Grove this year, the gate was open for another season. Yay! Several geese families which return every year were settled in for another season and some of the frogs were singing as well. Spring! Besides, the return of the contrails overhead made it feel as if life was beginning to return to a semblance of normalcy after two long years.

We walked to the beach which is clear of snow now.

Along the way, animals go about their lives and if you take the time, you may see Osprey, Bald Eagles, Song Sparrows, Grackles, Gulls and Ravens, as we did. One of the gulls was playing, all alone, floating on the breeze along the shoreline.

The Ravens were especially interesting. They can be hard to distinguish from crows but are larger and have a fan-like tail. My husband found a large empty egg shell nearby and placed it on a post. 

Before long, one of the birds checked it out. The Ravens obviously raid nests of the Geese and Ducks in the area. 

Back at the Grove, we passed a Chipmunk, busy filling its pouches. It stopped to watch us for some time and eventually climbed into a hole in a tree. 

My husband and I had lunch overlooking the water, listening to the peepers and the geese. This is our favourite picnic spot on the island.

There was a new resident at the Grove this spring. A muskrat was active in the water and on the islands. We identified an area which could have been its lodge 

but before we left, it looked like a goose was moving in. I wonder if she was evicted.

A good landlord can make all the difference.

A different chorus

It was too cold to ride our bikes but we visited Cavendish Grove anyway, to see if it was open for this year and to walk there if it was. My husband and I love to picnic in the Grove, so we brought along our first picnic lunch of the year, one of many we hope. There is always a place one can stop for a picnic.

It was good to be back in the Grove again and as we parked, we could see our old friends, the geese, hanging out at the far side of the pond. 

Three geese couples nest in the Grove every spring and we’ve enjoyed watching them with their goslings over the years.

When we opened the car door however we were greeted by a chorus. At first we thought birds were calling from the trees, and loudly too. At the far side of the pond we listened and realized birds were not responsible for this noise. Frogs searching for mates made an amphibian chorus serenading all visitors. 

Peepers are high sopranos and are balanced by other frogs in the lower registers. Every now and then, a goose, sharing the pond, added a few notes as well. 

The vocal range in the choir was impressive. You can hear them here.

We had lunch on the red bench 

and listened to the unfamiliar song which many would find too loud. However we were amazed and when choristers in other areas of the pond started in, all we could do was laugh. Never had we been entertained quite like this before. It was an unique song of nature. Another short video here.

I managed a photo of some frogs, starting with wee ripples in the water, 

then eyes visible above the surface.

Nature so impressed us that day we are headed back to the Grove today with our grandson. It would be wonderful to hear the frogs again but if not, we will enjoy a walk and a picnic with our three year old. We are as excited as he is.