Post-Thanksgiving Crowds of People Have Thinned, Birds Have Increased

Over an inch of rain now, temperature dropping, chance of snow tonight and tomorrow.  Very few people walking the lake today, yesterday was like a parade, today I could make my way through an entire Christmas carol out loud with no one to hear me sing.  I recognized several people from passing them half-way around before.  Parking lots relatively empty, and even the coffee stand was closed (it was open yesterday morning.)

The lake is the happening spot for the Mergansers and Cormorants though, whose numbers increase daily.  Can't remember if I already mentioned the lake being stocked recently, but it was, and the birds have let that be known.

Yesterday, the Cormorants had taken over the swimming platform, at one point lining up near the ledge and dropping off into the water like penguins off of an ice shelf.  Today when I passed by, they were all in the water, half-submerged, only their heads and necks above the water line.  The water rough and high and sloshing against the "sea" walls and docks.  On the land, a flock of American Wigeons drifting across the water-logged playfields.  On the sidewalk near an empty baseball diamond, the water had pooled enough that the birds swam the three feet across from one edge to the other.  I'm charmed by how ducks will take the invitation of the smallest of pools and go for swim.

I found myself momentarily engulfed by a swirling flock of pigeons.  Mesmerizing.

The rains show no signs of letting up.  My clothes drip-drying until I go back out in it again.