Not Back-to-School
Monday was officially back-to-school in our district. We decided to take our chances and do another day at the lake with our rain check from last week. The day was markedly different than 5 days before. Gone were the flocks of adolescents, pods of children, solos getting their workout & families testing out their newly received SUPs (Stand Up Paddleboards) from the springtime Covid backorder. Gone too was the wind on the front of the storm which expelled us.
Zenna and I got comfy in our kayaks and tried not to get too annoyed when they spun around, literally on a dime. Which gave us ample opportunity to smooth out our acting skills {...don't mind me, I'm just checking to see what's going on back here}. ;-) I'm used to commanding a rather large boat down the river, this kayaking thing is like riding a unicycle!
Zane and Mike spun around in circles looking at the stern of their boat a lot. I'm not sure, but I think they were chasing their tails! We all practiced our SUP~ing skills too, which for me, was reminiscent of getting my sea legs. My inbox had a email from Hala SUPs titled "How to SUP with Children" when I got home. While I didn't read it, I thought to myself "I know how to do that": Simple! Just relax, breathe & don't give any instructions. And when it's my turn to paddle, make sure she has something to eat!
I joke a lot, but it was both a fun & relaxing day. Being on the water as it gently lapped the boats is a therapeutic sort of calm. The kind of calm I wish more families were experiencing on this day; the first day of back-to-school in a pandemic during a major computer malfunction (zoom crashed). Not that I miss the crowded lake, it's just that I wish for families to feel relief from the current tension that is pervading our communities as kids go back-to-school this year.
Local Cormorant Population
One of Zen's learning goals, in adult terms is Zoology, the Animal Kingdom. Being around an 8 year old who is 'crazy about' animals is pretty fun. She's not totally sure that the water doesn't have sharks and alligators in it ~ even though she asks a lot of questions about this every time we're on the water. Thank you National Geographic's Austrailia's most dangerous Animals !
We had a lot of fun following the bubble lines under the water and wondering what animal is making them (crocs?). Or is that an underwater spring? The local cormorant population commanded much of our attention. Why do they stand with their wings open like that for a seemingly endless (to and 8 y.o.) amount of time? And just what are they doing with that throat thingy when it vibrates like that? How long can they hold their breath? Do they eat crayfish? How come they can catch fish, and I can't? Is that a kingfisher? Where are their large stick nests? Do they have the white spot on the side of their face that indicates a breeding adult? What is a breeding adult? What is a juvenile? Do they live here all year? Are they afraid of crocodiles? Who eats them? Did I mention their icy blue eyes??
Thanks to Google we were able to get some answers out on the water; which led to more questions. My new phone had not yet downloaded the Merlin Bird ID content yet, so I missed out on that opportunity. But, it was cool to hear my daughter say how pleased she was that I had the bird and plant apps on my phone so we could figure out what we are seeing. I love that she's investigating the world around her and figuring out where she fits in.
Now that we're home, the Animal books are spread all over the living room floor. We have found answers to some of the questions like; Cormorants do not have the waterproofing of other diving birds, which is why they hold their wings out to dry. We also saw an awe inspiring picture of a Kingfisher that will make me pack my binoculars on our next adventure!
Edit 09/05/20: We have learned a bit more about these curious Cormorants that we wanted to share:
"One of the most common birds at Evergreen Lake and the most asked about is the double-crested cormorant. For many years, cormorants were largely seacoast birds, found along the rocky cliffs on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
There were only four records of cormorants in Colorado prior to 1912, and these were considered to be “rare winter visitors” in western Colorado.
In 1931, the first breeding record was reported by Bailey and Neidrach, with a total of eight pairs nesting at Barr Lake. By 1939, that colony had 30 pairs, and by 1995 it had 248 pairs.
By 1995, the state population had increased to 1,000 pairs — a large and rapid increase in 64 years."
Read more of the article from the local newspaper The Clear Creek Courant.