I would normally be writing about things I hear about or observe around the lake. This time it's more about what I have observed or heard about in the lake.

Sheryl Grant, along with some other witnesses, thoroughly enjoyed her observation of a tagged black bear cooling off in Highland Lake. People were going about their business on the east side of the lake when this bear was observed casually lumbering along through the yards toward the lake. He didn't do anything when he got in the lake other than walk all the way in, cool off and head back to where he came from. She said it was quite a sight to witness, although some observers must have been worried since a policeman arrived and quietly watched the situation as well. He stayed back as did everyone and allowed the bear to return as he came.

Belonging to the Highland Lake swim club also gives me a wonderful water-level, duck’s-eye view perspective to nature’s goings-on. This year we have observed many beautiful birds, and joining us in our swims were a dog who jumped in, a couple of ducks, and now Russell (a.k.a. Oreo), a very handsome Muscovy duck.

It seems Russell arrived at Highland Lake via a vehicle which dropped off 8-10 of these ducks over on West Wakefield. One got hit by a car, as well as some mallards, and that's why you see "please slow down for ducks" signs in front of Rhonda and Kim Marchand's house. Some of the Muscovy ducks were rescued by someone and brought to a suitable home, except for one who escaped. They are not, however, coming back to take any more. The duck now named Russell must have been part of that group.

I have to say, for a Muscovy duck, he is especially good looking, although he is having a bit of a rough time in the neighborhood. Arlene Fazzino has taken on a bit of a motherly role for Russell for the moment, possibly until a better home can be thought of for him. In the meantime, she is trying to defend him from the two white ducks that lay in wait for him behind the bushes each day to beat him up and run him off. They're not having much luck getting rid of him though, and Arlene says Russell is now swimming with a couple of females who seem to enjoy his company.

In the wild these ducks eat stems, leaves, roots and seeds of aquatic and terrestrial plants. They will eat agricultural crops, too, as well as small fish, crustaceans, reptiles, insects (including a lot of mosquitoes), termites, etc. In domestic situations they also like corn and grains. Although Russell appears to have come from a domestic situation, there is a feral population in every state in the U.S. and Canada. This was a tropical species originating in Central and South America and then Mexico but adapts to icy, snowy conditions down to 10 degrees without any apparent harm.

Perhaps someone reading this will know of a more appropriate home for this interesting duck. In the meantime, we will enjoy observing him.

I can't wait to get out there for the next swim to see what we can see and watch how life unfolds for all the creatures in and around Highland Lake.

Russell, a Muscovy duck