Morning on the South Slang

The high winds and rains ceased early in the morning.  The wind has died down, so I decided to get some more paddling in.  I went back to the South Slang.  With the rain last night, the water will be up a little.  By the middle of the summer, the water be be several feet lower and I won't be able to paddle into to slang as easily.

The waters were much calmer this morning.  The temperature was about 42 degF.

I was able to paddle into the flooded forests.  I could see ducks ahead, but they would fly away before I could get close enough for any photos.

Out on the slang it was peaceful.  I just wanted to drift about, but part of me wanted to do some paddling.

The sky would darken, then clear.  The wind would pick up, then become calm.

I started to paddle up into the slang.  Mallards were about.

Off in the distance I could see a large osprey nest.  A pair of osprey were on the nest.

One flew off towards the west.

The other stayed back for a few minutes.

Then flew off to the south.

It came back a few minutes later with a large stick.  I missed the shot of it returning.  I decided to wait for a while to see what would happen next.

Geese flew by . . .

. . . and the osprey were ever vigilant.  What is it looking at?

The mate came back with a fish.

I was blessed with the osprey flying in and out of the nest.  I tipped my hat to them and thanked them for allowing me to watch them.  I then paddled away.

Just down the slang was another osprey nest.  This one was only about 10 feet above the water.  I did not come too close as I didn't want to disturb these incredible birds.

What is that in the distance?  A Beaver?  A Muskrat?

I think it is a muskrat.

However, there are signs of beaver.  I did not see any signs of a lodge about, but I know they are around.  There used to be some large beaver lodges in the southern part of the slang.  I try there later.

Another fine day to be on the water.