fbpx

Mariton: Breezy Morning on the Lake

September 15, 2014

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager

Sunny Lake Nockamixon

We had a small group for our Sunday morning kayak trip.  It was chilly and breezy when we started, but the sun was bright and it was a great day to be on the lake.  We saw lots of Great Blue Herons.  We also saw a Cattle Egret just before we entered the inlet.  We had a kettle of both Turkey and Black Vultures circling directly overhead.  It was a great visual aid of the differences between these two species.  You could easily point out the white tips on the Black Vulture wings.

A large Snapping Turtle was resting on top of an exposed stump.  It was the same diameter and color as the stump, so I didn’t notice it at first.  I did a double take as I paddled closer.  By the time I got the camera turned on and positioned, the turtle was in the water.  I hadn’t expected many turtles on the chilly morning, but we also saw lots of painted turtles sunning themselves on logs.

One of the more interesting sightings was Double-crested Cormorant perched on a branch.  While cormorants aren’t unusual anymore, we all paddled within a couple yards of this individual.  I’ve never had them let you get that close.  I didn’t even bother fussing with the camera, because I was sure it wouldn’t stay put.

Haycock Run

It was a great morning to be on the lake.