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Friday, March 15, 2024

When P... eacocks Fly

 Today's title story is in the bonus section.

Meanwhile, I went on a hike with Peg, Gary, Laura, and the ever-energetic Trixie!
hikers


We did a section of the NCT that I think is particularly pretty, north of Nichols Lake. There are several small lakes and a lot of wetlands, all glacial. This is part of the strip of wetlands north of Leaf Lake. I think it's even pretty in the brown shades.
northern wetland


A family of trumpeter swans on one of the bits of open water. We couldn't tell that the two following were juveniles from a distance. But in the picture I can see that they are still slightly gray.
trumpeter swans


One of the better pictures is Condon Lake. The sky stayed gray just about until we were done.
Condon Lake


Lots of pretty trail in there.
trail in brown woods


Trixie is a stitch! She carries a kong frisbee with her all the time. Occasionally she gets the humans to throw it for her. We never had to tell her not to forget it.
dog with a frisbee


I also checked out something new. There has always been a primitive but designated campsite at the south end of Sawkaw Lake, but I'd never bothered walking there. However, the Forest Service has recently added latrines at that one and the one on the far side of Condon Lake. Very nice.

Total miles hiked in 2024: 164.6 of which 52.8 is North Country Trail

North Country Trail, Newaygo County, MI. Nichols Lake north TH to Sawkaw Lake and back, plus spurs

BONUS SECTION:

No pictures; we were too stunned to take any. On the way home we saw a male peacock flying across the road. In the first place... what was the peacock doing there? It probably belongs to someone. Also, I didn't actually know that peacocks could fly. The answer is... they don't do it well or often. They are one of the largest birds that actually can fly, averaging 13 pounds. Why did the peacock cross the road? My guess is that he was looking for a lady-love, the same as all the turkeys. What did it look like? It flies sort of vertical and there is white under their wings. Just VERY odd and awkward! He landed beside the road and looked very ruffled and confused.

See It Doesn't Get Much Better

1 comment:

The Oceanside Animals said...

Lulu: "Ooh, Dada says they saw lots of peacocks one time when they went to someplace nearby called Carrillo Ranch. I think some of them were in the trees, but mostly they sat around yelling 'Help! Help!'"
Java Bean: "Ayyy, I will help them."
Charlee: "I don't think they want help from YOU, Bean."
Java Bean: "I will help them anyway."