Lake Woodlane Attracts All Kinds

   Last Tuesday we left our Island and drove back to Chattanooga. The forecast for the trip was for 100% chance of rain, and we got it from Macon north to our destination.

   Now the Chattanooga area had already received some rain, so by the time we arrived at Woodlane (the name given to Carolyn's home place, when it was constructed back in 1971), the back of the property was already showing the beginning signs of a new lake.

   It rained on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and poured again on Saturday. Rising every day, the area covered by Saturday noon was the largest my wife could remember.

   As we watched from the dry warmth of the house on Saturday, in the midst of another downpour, I noticed some movement down by the back fence. I calculated the depth of the pond in this area was  around two feet or so. In a large gum tree, perhaps 20 feet up in the crook of a branch, a raccoon seemed to be surveying the area.

   I began to hope that he did not foresee a depth of this magnitude.

   When the cloudy day turned to night, and whenwe lost sight of our friend, he was still ensconced in his spot, but by morning light, he was gone.

   Sunday morning brought Sunshine, and a welcome relief from the previous week of water. Our duck population had increased from the two we had spotted out our window on Tuesday, to a count of 21 by the time we returned from church today. They had increased each day and were foraging all over the pond where the water levels were bringing their food to the surface.

   It seemed as though one of the mallards had taken over the organization of the flock and was giving guidance (or orders) from atop the fence. Either that or he was surveying his harem for the proper mate. There did seem to be a lot of frolicking in the pond as the number of females increased over the days.

   Not to be outdone, a large heron came to check out the meal possibilities before flying off to less crowded waters.

   It will be awhile before the waters of Lake Woodlane recede to the grass cover that is supposed to be the "normal" state, and we will see animals and birds feeding for some more days yet.

   Probably by summer we will wish for the water supplied by the rain, but for now the forecasted sunshine of the next few days will be welcomed by all.

   Well, I might have to exclude the ducks from that wish.

   They seem to be enjoying themselves out there.