20 February

 

The tree that had been sawed down at the entrance to the Wetlands and Forest has now been cleared.  It looks as though it has been segmented for firewood.

Winter is slow to take its leave of the Wetlands and Forest.  Today's visit was the coldest of the season.  There were traces of last night's snowfall, and in fact a very light snow fell as I walked in.

A few showings of hair ice had appeared on fallen branches.


At a guess, much of the night was too cold for this curious phenomenon to form, which needs temperatures just at the freezing level. 

Beside the path, bracken was dusted with snow.


The Marsh had a skim of ice over its exposed areas, with a dusting of snow.



The water level posts, iced in, were well defined.


There were at least 200 ducks in open water at the southeast end of the Marsh.  Most were mallards, dispersed along the reeds,


but careful observation, and photo enlargement showed an assortment:


...mallards, American wigeon, green-winged teal, buffleheads, and one hooded merganser. (click on the photo to enlarge it.)

A pair of eagles regarded the ducks as potential lunch.



Despite the wonderful bird display, the cold had penetrated.  I was ready to return to my truck and fire up its heater. 






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