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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Brrr!
My outdoor temp was 14 this AM when I got up. As I write this it is 23 and a sunny and clear day here on Lake James, near Morganton, North Carolina. As I glanced accross Sherman's Hollow from my home office window, I spotted 2 white Lab puppies frolicking on the far shore. They both plunged into the icy water and swam around playfully for several minutes. They got out, shook off and ambled on to the end of the cove. We have a neighborhood dog, Maggie, a black Lab that I've seen swim every month of the year. I guess they don't feel the cold like we do.
The colder weather has sent some birds south and some unusual birds into the cove. The Great Blue Herron is a fixture here throughout the year. He will stand motionless in the shallow water for hours, until he quickly grabs an unsuspecting fish. I wonder how many pounds of fish he eats in a year. There are also some diving ducks. I believe I saw a pair of Black Scoters with their tell tale orange bulb on their bill. Western NC is not their normal range, so I may be mistaken. It is fascinating to watch them submerge and chase fish underwater and emerge with one in their beaks. The Kingfishers, with their unmistakeable chattering, also fly through the cove and always get a fish with each pass. I have also seen one of the eagles circle high above the water and dive down and catch a rather large fish with their talons. Their nest is visible from the water from the Linville side. I have seen 3 juveniles and the parents for a total of 5.
More on the lake wildlife later. Back to selling real estate here at Lake James.
Phil Howerton
North Carolina Real Estate Broker at Lake James
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