Early Season

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The weather has been absolutely fantastic the last two days.  High temperatures around 65 degF and beautiful sunny skies.  The water in the river is still cold, but it has cleared a lot.

So far, my 'fishing' adventures have consisted of poking around the river, looking for underwater structure and other features.  I was surprised how many lures and floats I found in the brush and trees!

I decided to head into the shallow marshy area upstream.  The water there is relatively still.  I expected it would warm a little more than the river.

The marsh is small, really only good for a few casts, but I was rewarded both days with a few strikes and a couple of bass.  They are out of season, so I promptly returned.them (I catch and release anyway).

The march was teaming with the sounds of redwing blackbirds and frogs.  As I poked into the cattails around the edges I was amazed to the dozens of eastern painted turtles.

A great start to early season fishing.

Feeling Grey

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The weather today has been like my mood.  Dark and grey.  I have to travel for work again and I just can't seem to get excited.  I am going to a place I've been to many times.  It will be all work.  I'd rather be here by the water.

I decided to get a quick paddle in before I left for the airport.  I was aimless.  I headed upstream and wandered into Sucker Creek.  The water is high.  All was quiet except for the occasional call of red wing blackbirds.

I poked around and then headed upstream to check on the osprey nest.  We had terrible storms the last few days and it appeared the nest was blown down.

To my joy, the pair was nearby and rebuilding the nest on the platform.  I went to get a photo, but my battery died in the camera.

I am still feeling a little grey, but the osprey did to make me feel a little less so. . .

Buffleheads

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With the retreat of the winter ice, the northern migrations are well underway.  The Canadian geese and mallards stay around all winter, but a few old friends appear.

I saw my first great blue heron and cormorants of the year.   They stay around all summer and into the fall.  An unexpected set of visitors were on the river - buffleheads!

There were three males and a female.  They must have stopped over on their way to Canada.  They are great diving ducks.  What a treat.

On my way back a came across another diving bird.  It always stayed just out of range of my little camera.  Cormorant?

I'll keep an eye open for more travelers...

Spring Osprey

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Finally.  We have had two very warm days and a lot of rain.  The river is ice free.  I can finally get out on the river.   Heaven!

The geese are congregating on Goose, Birch and the Crescent Islands.  I expect they use these islands for nesting.  I'll keep an eye open for the goslings.

I stopped by the marshy cove.  It is still very icy.  I can hear the redwing blackbirds calling.

There were mallards and mergansers about.

The shoreline is still icy on the shady southern banks.

I remember an osprey nest up the river.  I paddled up to it and was immediately rewarded with the sight of the pair fixing their nest!

What an amazing sight!

I could have spent an hour watching the pair.  But I didn't want to upset them.  I headed home.

This is a welcome Spring!