Lac d’auzon-temple

After leaving the observatoire we took the main road towards Dienville, and decided to make a stop alongside the lake ‘d’auzon-temple’, and just sit for a while, enjoying our little picnic we’d brought with us. We set up our table and chairs, and sat quietly in the cool air watching the bird activity on the lake, hoping to see the cranes close up.

I poured us some coffee, but Brian was soon off with his camera, wanting to get some early pics.

I took a moment to sit and take in the amazing view of the lake and its bird life. Once again it was rather spectacular, the sun was shimmering on the water. As I sat I could hear the sounds of the birds. I don’t know all the individual calls, but it was delightful listening to them screeching, whistling and schrilling to each other. What a little conversation they were having. In the background we could here the chattering of the cranes. We had spied a whole group of them wading off an island in the middle of the lake, but they were too far away to get a good look at them. ‘Let’s have our coffee and see if any come along a bit closer’ I suggested.

As we sat there peacefully, we heard what sounded like someone peddling their moped to get it started; a rapid thumping. We realised it was the wings of a nearby swan slapping against the water as it took off. The whole launch seemed to take ages, but it was soon gliding over the lake surface. We watched a couple of little grebes darting under the water, obviously looking for lunch, they were having a lot of fun.

A chattering sound behind us grew rapidly more noisy. “Look” I said excitedly, “up there”. We could now see three cranes flying over. How beautiful they were.

As we headed back home, via the small town of Bar-sur-Aube, Brian spotted some cranes feeding in one of the fields. I was able to safely pull off the road, so he could get out to see if he could capture a photograph of them. Just as he pulled his camera out, a heron flew past, looking for a spot to land.

We waited a short while and our patience paid off, a lonesome crane was strutting his stuff, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine, such elegance.

What an idyllic afternoon, and an abundance of bird life. Next time I will bring our binoculars.