On the same day as I spotted the Canada goose nest, I rowed further along the shoreline by the group cottages (Segment 10). Since I had checked for other boats at the beginning of the segment and this is an uncomplicated shoreline, I started to row along it without looking around. I’m not sure what caught my attention. I think a gander started to honk an alarm and I looked to my left and was rewarded by the site of a goose and gander with goslings right at the water’s edge.
The chance of getting photos was pretty low but it was worth a shot. I stopped and pulled out my camera. I managed to get these shots. The goose and gander were at the water’s edge with seven goslings.
Understandably they moved up the slope with the goslings scurrying along with them. It is interesting that this pair has goslings already. The other breeding pairs are just beginning to sit nests. This pair is about a month ahead of the other pairs.Click an image to see a larger image.
The Piedmont azaleas have been in full bloom at the lake over the last few weeks, making splashes of color at many places around the lake.
This bush is along the lake shore between the campground and the dam (Segment 7). The best view is from the water.
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Last Saturday, I noticed this little guy drop into the water. It managed to set up to float but it wasn’t going to reach land for some time. Since I carry a bamboo pole with me, I retrieved it from the water and deposited it safely on a log nearby – but not before I took some photos.
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It's a sure sign of spring. Yellow-bellied Sliders are crawling out of the water onto logs and basking in the sun. They will be a common site now until the water warms up to where they can float just submerged with their snouts sticking just above the water’s surface. Even on Saturday, I spooked a couple of submerged turtles when I passed close by.
It’s going to be a little tough on turtle sunbathing this year. In past years, trees at the water’s edge have been felled to attract fish. Turtles climb onto the trunk and branches that extend above the water to bask in the sun. This year many of these branches have disintegrated. Roosts are going to be a premium.
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Back on the lake last Thursday night after a four-month break. It’s felt like a longer winter than usual with more really cold spells, rain, and long periods of strong winds. If winds are predicted to be 10-to-20 mph or higher I don’t like to go out on the water. One measure of how long the break was this year is that I missed the pine pollen season when the lake is covered with the stuff and the boat comes back in with a thick layer at the water line. Anyway… Thursday evening was my first trip out this year.
The trees are leafing out and the rhododendrons have started to bloom. And one of my favourite treats. The Canada geese are back. The breeding pairs. I believe I saw four pairs including the pair that nest – if you call a shallow depression on the ground a nest – near the group cottages and my favourite pair that nest on the small island near picnic area #2 (Segment 16). The goose from this pair has already settled in and her gander has assumed his guard duties.
This pair was at the edge of the water near the dam. I coasted to a stop almost directly opposite them and was quite surprised that the gander didn’t honk in protest. But he didn’t and I was actually able to take a couple of strokes to get into a better position to photograph. Sometimes I can get into position but the birds spook when I raise the camera to take the shot.
When I arrived the gander was clearly on guard. He was standing quite erect with his head extended. I managed to get this shot just before the guard duties shifted to the goose. She didn’t shift position at all. However, the gander definitely was no longer on duty. He turned his back to me and began grazing on grass, focused on tearing at a tuft that wasn’t yielding willingly, and completely unconcerned at my presence.
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The chance of getting photos was pretty low but it was worth a shot. I stopped and pulled out my camera. I managed to get these shots. The goose and gander were at the water’s edge with seven goslings.
Understandably they moved up the slope with the goslings scurrying along with them. It is interesting that this pair has goslings already. The other breeding pairs are just beginning to sit nests. This pair is about a month ahead of the other pairs.
A few days later, I pulled into the shore in the same inlet and spent some time photographing rhododendron flowers; this is an area that would be challenging to get to on foot. As I pulled away from the shore, I happened to look to the left and found that I had been sitting less than 10 m from the nest. 
It's always fascinated me that Canada geese nest in such open locations. In spite of the nest being as exposed as this one, it is really quite well camouflaged. The goose blends into her surroundings by adopting a low profile pose that doesn't expose her light breast and her characteristic white neck patch that is visible in this photo.
The goose is sitting tight now. The gander is nowhere in sight - obviously not hanging around the inlet to give away the location of the nest. I’ll be giving the area a wide berth for the next month or so. 
This bush is along the lake shore between the campground and the dam (Segment 7). The best view is from the water.
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This pair was at the edge of the water near the dam. I coasted to a stop almost directly opposite them and was quite surprised that the gander didn’t honk in protest. But he didn’t and I was actually able to take a couple of strokes to get into a better position to photograph. Sometimes I can get into position but the birds spook when I raise the camera to take the shot.
The steam is rising vertically from the crater.
