Sunday, January 9, 2011

Wetland Reflections 2


Larger than a pond but not quite a lake this wetland is home to dozens of varieties of ducks, geese, herons, and other creatures both above and below the surface. When the water lilies bloom they decorate the surface magnificently in yellows and greens. Ducks swoop in at high speed for landings from a direction behind the camera. Often in pairs, they usually startle me with their sudden "whooshing" noise, flare out and settle with a sizzle on the surface with a precision that would make the Canadian Snowbirds or US Blue Angels envious. In winter the place goes into suspended animation - "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." I'll find an image and post it.

This wetland in northern Saskatchewan was a magical place. Just below the surface live colonies of muskrats which, if I was quiet enough, would swim silently past me leaving their trademark wake. The grasses and reeds here hide dozens of waterfowl and other bird's nests. One of my favourite spots on the planet.

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