… the Detroit River that is.
You know, I could have come up with at least a half-dozen headlines for this Sunday stroll, but that song popped into my head first (and it just dated me as well).
These pictures are from my walk at Elizabeth Park this past Sunday. I was still looking for the elusive ducklings, and, just like Heritage Park, the Pekin Ducks, Hybrid Mallards and regular Mallards that usually stroll around this park were scarce. Unfortunately, they had no ducklings in tow, thus I have suspended the duckling search for 2019. Those sweet-and-fuzzy babies have likely hatched and moved on to other parks, although the water was certainly conducive for them staying here at this venue.
God willing and the creek don’t rise.
People use this expression all the time, and, before this year, I cannot say I’ve ever encountered water levels, the likes of what we have these days in Southeast Michigan. My heart goes out to those folks that are suffering with floods and water levels twice, if not three times, the norm. The weather is just too erratic for my liking and I worry everyday about this “new norm” weather-wise. We had torrential rain on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong … we’ve endured pounding rains many a time, but this was a torrential rain that lasted 45 minutes. I watched the water rise to the top of the curb in the street and this has happened over and over this Spring. We had severe weather with winds in the 60 mph range predicted for later in the day, and that is when soggy lawns cause trees to topple over taking their massive roots with them.
Having rain every day isn’t just a thorn in my side for hampering my walking regimen, but the condition of the parks is also less than ideal for walking. I even bought waterproof shoes, plus vinyl rain boots, for navigating around the saturated grounds and trails on the weekend. But that said, I decided to go to Elizabeth Park as there should not be any water worries because I knew they have the paved perimeter path that encircles the entire park and is used by vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and even our fine-feathered friends …
… not to mention the paved walkway down to the canal, three bridges to cross, plus the boardwalk. I figured walking shoes would suffice, but boy was I wrong! The canal had flooded its banks up and onto the grass and even the sidewalks – what a mess!
I tried cutting through the grounds to access the picturesque bridge …
… and the grass was like walking on a sponge. Squish, squish, squish went my heavy walking shoes as I sank down into the waterlogged grass. I had to turn around and head back, but found a few ducks enjoying a morning swim.
These ducks looked like they were catching up on neighborhood gossip, as if they were laughing about something don’t they?
I retraced my steps back up to where I parked and decided to go down these rickety cement stairs to get to the boardwalk, where surely it would not have water lapping up and over the seawall? Whew – it did not.
Two geese strolled along the boardwalk and stepped right into the water.
A couple of furry friends happened along, first this Fox Squirrel, on the prowl for treats, who came running over to see me. I guess I have “Peanut Lady” written all over my forehead.
And this Gray Squirrel with the eloquent pose which seemed to say “will you be so kind as to favor me with some peanuts?”
All of a sudden the sun slipped behind the clouds … well, as long as it didn’t rain – sigh. I saw this Red-Winged Blackbird which appeared in silhouette in that newly darkened sky.
Gone fishin’.
I must mention how warm it was last Sunday. Our weather has been so erratic. We’ll have a slew of chilly days, then suddenly the temps jump as high as 25-30 degrees in a single day. Tuesday morning I awoke to 45 degrees F (7 C). Last Sunday I was way overdressed. I didn’t factor in the humidity when I got ready to go because I put on a sweat suit to thwart any mosquitoes from making a meal of me.
On this hazy morning, the fishermen were out in full force, lined up all along the Detroit River boardwalk.
I think today’s fishermen (and women) lining this boardwalk are not pondering life and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the moment while dropping a line into the water. They are multi-taskers. They have multiple fishing rods propped in between the railing that runs parallel to the boardwalk. They are not watching that line for any action, like wiggling or tugging at the lure or night crawlers, because their respective heads are often bent down while peering at their smartphones. There are boom boxes blaring in the background. It is a bustling crowd on the boardwalk.
Some, like this guy stand there, rod in hand, patiently waiting on a bite and far from the maddening crowd.
And then there was this fisherman who was waiting in the weeds, er …reeds for a nibble on his line.
I first encountered him when I walked by on the boardwalk. I saw his head bobbing behind the straw-like reeds and took the image above, then this one …
… but I wanted to see exactly where he was standing, away from the boardwalk. I couldn’t believe that he was balancing precariously on these rocks, right in the Detroit River (52 feet deep). I took a few shots of him fishing from his stony perch, and next time he cast out, he spotted me and he called out “twenty bucks for my picture!” So I countered with “how’ ’bout I make you famous in my blog instead?” He laughed and as I walked away, I thought to myself “did I really say that?”
I kept strolling along the boardwalk, and soon another fisherman piqued my interest. This fellow had his fishing rod in hand and two very tiny fish were on the line. I remarked “well at least you caught two fish, huh?” He smiled and said “nope, they’re just bait minnows, but look what I caught already!” He pointed to the water where several fish were strung on a bright blue line which was tied to the railing. I shared his enthusiasm by saying “wow those are big fish – guess I know what you’re having for dinner tonight and these would be silver bass?” See what I did there – I hoped to erase my faux pas about characterizing the minnows as dinner, by identifying his catch of the day, thus making me seem a little more intelligent. “Yes” he said, so I continued “yup, I understand the silver bass are running; the fisherman on Bishop Park’s pier last week told me that.” He added “and the walleye are here too.” Now I wouldn’t know a silver bass from a walleye so I just nodded sagely, then asked if he would mind if I took a couple of pictures of his fish. I had to lean way over the rail to get these shots.
I thanked him and said “enjoy your fish fry tonight” and he smiled, then pointed and said “see the fellow in red over there – he just caught a fish.”
So, here’s my last fisherman with his catch of the day. I decided to ask if I could take his picture, not just sneak in a shot and he was happy to oblige.
I omitted my line about making him famous in my blog because (wait for it) I didn’t want him to think I was fishing for compliments.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Its amazing its like another world now there..
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Yes, and all this rain has caused the grass to be so green – unbelievable. In this park there was water everywhere – I didn’t know where to step (bad enough stepping around the goose poop). 🙂
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Wow that is a lot of fishermen!
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Yes, and that was just one small portion of the boardwalk – they were lined up and down the boardwalk like that all the way along.
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Wow that many people have time to go fishing? That’s amazing!
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I was amazed too AJ – never saw that many people fishing before.
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We have a local lake where lots of people fish, but we’re talking maybe 10-12 people🤣
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Wow – what a difference. At that lake, are people fishing for the sport of it or for their dinner? I have a friend who is strictly catch-and-release … he will take pictures of his bigger catches, then show a video of the fish in his net and then show him releasing it again. My friend Ann Marie and her husband go fishing and they do the same thing but no pictures – just for the enjoyment. These folks lined on the boardwalk were looking for dinner. We have severe weather rolling in – no walk again. The weather was supposed to be stormy overnight and didn’t happen but I awoke to hear severe weather would arrive this morning around drive time (walk time for me) and like you and I discussed before, I see my goal slipping away even though the year is young. We had a lot of rain in the Spring of 2018 but not this stormy weather. Now I have all the rain gear I need and it is this torrential rain or storms. Okay AJ, we have 7 plus months to make our respective goals – at least you have the big chunk of Summer when you are off work. So go us!!
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I don’t know why these people are fishing, but I would assume it’s just for pleasure.
Ugh severe weather isn’t fun. I’m thinking of seeing if I can find a route I can do on my lunch hour to at least get a little bit of mileage in. I don’t want to have to do a 10km every day this summer!
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It’s nicer for pleasure – more relaxing. No, a 10 km run is not fun in the heat and humidity (or rain). We had that round of severe weather this morning and have some more Friday night and during the day Saturday – they can’t pinpoint the exact time yet. I will just stay in as it’s supposed to rain most of the day anyway. Severe weather for us only happened on those very hot and humid days in late July or August and the heat spikes created bad Summer storms. We have had so much severe weather this Spring that the season has had no redeeming value for me. Others on social media agree when you read their posts about the weather (and also about the weather folks who don’t always get the forecast right these days).
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We laugh around here at the weather people- they just put everything up!
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Agreed! I’m going to write a post about that very thing – I mentioned it to Anne Mehrling the other day and she said “yes, do a post!”
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Yes it’s the only profession I can think of where you can be wrong most of the time and still keep your job
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Yes, and they cover their blunders up nicely with a series of nerdy/geeky explanations which we don’t understand!
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I am constantly amazed at how you can prolifically produce interesting material about the same places and creatures. Now your talent is evolving to people. Fantastic!
Fred
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Thank you Fred. I already have a couple more lined up and still bubbling around in my head – strictly animals though. I heard about all our rain, so when the weather is rain-free I have to hustle and get some photos.
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Fishing seems to becoming a more popular hobby/sport. I know several young people who are really into it. Perhaps because it is relatively inexpensive and you might end up with a meal or more out of it. We have a friend who fishes for walleye on Lake saint Clair or the Saint Clair River I think. He usually has more fish in his freezer than he and his wife will eat so we will swap him some strawberry jam or honey for some walleye. It’s a great deal because buying good fresh fish is expensive.
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The boardwalk was lined with fisherman and that photo was just a small sampling of the crowd – I was amazed. You have a good bartering system there Ruth – that is smart of you. In all the times I’ve walked the boardwalk there, as well as atBishop Park, those were the biggest fish I’d seen.
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We have been having a lot of “duck weather” here in PA too. I just can’t remember ever having as much rain as we have had over the course of the past year. We had a tornado touch down in our county on Sunday during a crazy thunderstorm. I think you are right – it may be the new norm. Unfortunately!
I believe all of the ducklings you are searching for may have moved to Lititz. The little spring in the park is overrun with ducklings. I will have to remember to take my phone and post a photo sometime soon.
Love your fisherman photos. Haha…”fishing for compliments”!!!! 🙂
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Yes, enough already with the rain! Everything has greened up except my roses which may be a lost cause and cutting them to the ground to kick-start some growth won’t happen this weekend as we have so much rain. This Spring seems to mirror last year’s – I long for the Spring seasons we enjoyed in the past. We glom onto any day that has the least bit of sunshine anymore. Well I would love to see all the ducklings – hope you can get a photo of them to share on your blog. All the babies, furry or feathered, just give you a smile.
Mike Posner has finally passed through Pennsylvania, still trudging along, and this was his tally yesterday:
THE WALK ACROSS AMERICA.
DAY 37 || Steubenville, Ohio || 496/2790 MILES WALKED.
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I had to cut my roses almost to the ground to get them to come back., but they look pretty good now. Good luck to Mike!
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That’s what I had to do after that Polar Vortex about four years ago – thought they were goners. I’ve got to do that this weekend in between the storms or next weekend. We had temps in the low 40s earlier this week! Mike didn’t give any stats today – he was taking one day a week off to rest since he is now up to 20 miles per day.
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Wow! 20 miles/day every day is a lot. He needs a rest day!
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I agree – that’s quite intense!
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Fishing for compliments! LOL!
I discovered this morning that we are feeding a cute chipmunk on our deck. He has no problem jumping on the bird feeder and helping himself.
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I know you love a good pun Anne. 🙂 That chipmunk said to himself “there’s a lot of traffic going on here at the Mehrling house – they’ll never find me here!”
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Chippy kept an eye out for me as he gobbled the seeds. I’ve fed the birds for three years here, and this was the first time I’ve seen a chipmunk on our deck .
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I’ve still never seen a chipmunk – the squirrels used to ravage my bird feeder when I had it, no matter where I put it. I had it in the middle of the yard and they’d leap down from the trees. Marge next door had several bird feeders to cater to different birds and the squirrel had quite a nice variety to eat yet he’d still peer in the door wall at her with the sad face and look at the Tupperware container of peanuts she kept near the door – perhaps I should write about that some day – too bad she never sent me pictures, but I’d see it from my house. They are relentless. We have some severe weather moving in – it was supposed to be overnight, but never happened and this was a surprise, so going to scram and shut down the computer once I catch up with comments.
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I hope you get to watch chipmunks some day. They are very cute. Good luck with your extreme weather.
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I sure wish we had some chipmunks Anne. I have this Metroparks pass … you pay $35.00/year for unlimited visits to about 15 parks. And I paid a little extra on my license renewal for the State parks pass. Some are too far away for me to drive but I hope to use them more this year than last year as I didn’t use the Metropark pass except at Lake Erie Metropark. This weekend won’t be much use for doing that either. The other nature centers are bigger and have more critters and birds than the ones I go to. I like seeing chipmunks with their mouths puffed out on each side as they have peanuts. Thank you … we have a two-part storm punch, the first overnight between midnight and dawn and the second one mid-day. Both with high winds, hail and torrential rain. Just nasty and dangerous weather. Rain is in the forecast through Tuesday. I did walk this morning but I just got to the Park and the sun went behind the clouds and never returned. Perhaps the sun is bashful these days … it doesn’t say “hi” much.
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Our sun couldn’t get through heavy fog and mist this morning. Suited me, because it shines right in our eyes on the way home.
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Yes, it’s hard to see sometimes when we have sun and I have to use my arm to shield the sun, my hand is not enough sometimes. The sun is rare anymore but that happens.
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thank you!
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You’re welcome Patrizia – glad you enjoyed it.
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Awesome photos as always, Linda! 🙂
Being a vegetarian i could be like many vegetarians and have a propensity to look down on people who fish, but i don’t. I used to fish many years ago, and there are certain nutrients in fish that vegetarians are sorely lacking in; for instance, DHA and EPA. I even take Omega 3 capsules daily (that are made from sardines).
Raccoons invaded the assisted living building where my mother-in-law lives. They were up in the attic area and one even crashed through the ceiling into a room! Unfortunately, they ate the family of ducks that were living right by the building. They were “hissing” i was told; i told my mother-in-law to be careful as that can be a possible sign of rabies or a similar virus. Animal Control is trying to capture them.
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Thanks Tom – glad you liked them. Good thing your house is high up with all this flooding that you are no doubt getting in Illinois. I wouldn’t want to see you end up in a swamp like Elizabeth Park was. I’ve never seen it flooded like that before. That’s horrible about the raccoons. That’s unfortunate the family of ducks had to lose their lives and the gluttonous raccoons likely crashed through the ceiling because of it. You’re right, the hissing doesn’t sound good. I hope Animal Control is able to capture them before someone gets bitten. My grandmother had squirrels in her attic years ago and Animal Control had a difficult time capturing them and they were very destructive up there. She was sitting watching TV and heard what she described as scuffling up above her head. Lucky for her, they didn’t drop down through the ceiling.
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The assistive living facility where my mother-in-law is staying is run by — and adjacent to — the very respectable Riverside Hospital. They’ve had in-house extensive pipe flooding, mice, and now raccoon invasion. You would think that they would run things more smoothly there!
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Yes, you would think so!
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Linda
I wonder when your weather will let up and give you some peaceful summery weather- it is nearly the middle of the year.
I loved the two slim, cute squirrels- since you didn’t name them, I am guessing they are not Parker.But they look cute and as smart as they are- they can read the “Linda signs” and understand someone who smells of peanuts.
Its ok to fish for compliments- I often do so. My interactions are mostly with human beings just like yours are with animals and nature.
Susie
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Hi Susie – When I went to bed last night, the weather folks called for a thunderstorm overnight, not the severe variety, just a regular thunderstorm. I got up this morning to find we have severe weather moving in. It is rumbling around out there as I write this comment and winds expected to be 60 mph (96 kmh) and torrential rain. There was devastation in the state of Missouri this morning after a tornado raced through there. I am trying to keep that in perspective and not whine about the rain impacting my walks too much if we don’t have severe weather. In fact I resolved to do that this morning. I have the rain gear now – not just coats and umbrellas which I had, but waterproof footwear – I’ll walk in the rain, but it has to warm up a little bit more. I am going to respond to comments and get off here and unplug the computer. The gray squirrel on the table is like Grady and reminded me of him – the black squirrels and gray squirrels are so timid due to their size I guess … I could not coax him to come see me, even putting peanuts in my hand – he stood up there, kind of quivering. I cannot work magic with all squirrels I guess. I left some peanuts near my feet and moved on. Yes, it is okay to fish for comments and I decided to use that line in this post as it fit with all the fishermen.
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That’s a lot of water on the lawns! And a lot of fishermen on the riverbank! I wonder if the water is clean enough for people to eat their catch? I used to take our boys fishing when they were little, but always pinched off the barbs on the hooks so the fish could wiggle loose and escape! 😉 We weren’t going to eat them anyway, so this seemed like a good solution. Great pictures and lush colors in them, Linda!
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I always thought the Detroit River had dirty water but I have some pictures I’ve taken where the water is so clear you can see the rocks on the bottom and the ducks or geese’ feet paddling. Elizabeth Park certainly lost some of its usual luster due to the swampy areas – I could not believe how much water was on the grass Sabine. That was a good idea to be able to have them escape unscathed. I have two friends that are fisherman and both are strict catch and release. I’m glad you liked the pictures Sabine – they came out clearer than I expected as it got pretty gray shortly after I arrived there.
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Some pollution is invisible to the naked eye. I imagine people who fish there know about the water quality. Hopefully your weather gets better soon!
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Lake Erie where I go to the big metropark is contaminated with PFAS and I personally wouldn’t eat any fish out of the waters here in Michigan to be honest. I hope so too Sabine, however, I’m going to hunker down and study the camera manual since it is an ugly weekend (most of it anyway).
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Oh! I look forward to seeing you use your new camera! 😊
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I used it for the Baby Boom and the pics from Heritage Park last Saturday but that was on automatic setting. It is almost a year old but I’ve not tried manual mode yet. But I never used manual mode when I had the 35 mm either. I had a Canon AE-1 and it took great pictures on automatic. I have to learn scenery first before I try to tackle birds and squirrels although the squirrels are more cooperative and sit still longer. 🙂
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I thought the quality of the images were clearer. You should use it! Just play and practice also from the manual!
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Yes, they were clearer and I have 12X zoom with the compact digital so that is good. I used the long lens (kit lens, 300 mm) for the goslings at Heritage Park and the Robins at Council Point Park. This morning another post will launch (“Road Trip”) and that was done with the compact digital … not really as sharp, but not the camera’s fault – it was a very overcast morning. After I shut off my computer, I thought to myself … “this very post that you commented on with the colors and all the flooding, I also had the big camera for this one as well.” I just never have experimented with it and need to so I can try and be creative … if the critters stay still that is. 🙂 I’ll practice with flowers and inanimate objects first. Inside the house this weekend – a rainy/stormy weekend for the most part.
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I’ll have to look for the new post! 😊
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Spent all day yesterday immersed in studying and watching some videos. I hope they pay off. 🙂
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Oh! I’m sure they will! 😊
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I have some older pictures to use first – like today’s post. I got a little behind in posting due to all the stormy weather and I lost my internet briefly last night after a storm.
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That is a lot of rain! We’ve lucked out and had a lot of it go north or south of us. I really like the fishermen photos. It is interesting to watch people fish. Each has their own style.
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And we got more rain this morning and a torrential rain event coming Friday into Saturday – I don’t know how there could be any more rain left in the clouds! Glad you liked the fisherman photos Rebecca – there are usually a few solitary fisherman who stray from the crowd where it is quiet. I was amazed at this guy standing out on that rock – no barriers around and the river being so deep. What if a large fish pulled him into the water?
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Sounds like you need to start building an ark. 🙂 I’d likely be one of those solitary fishermen if I fished. This guy has probably fished out on the rocks for as far back as he can remember. Hopefully he’s a good swimmer.
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Yes, we have two bad storms Saturday, early a.m. and mid-day and rain through Tuesday, maybe Wednesday. I’d be a solitary fisherman too Rebecca – I like peace and quiet. That is true, he is probably fearless. I don’t know how to swim, so I always imagine the worst! Do you remember the other day you said the robin chicks would not be in the nest much longer? We had storms yesterday morning so I didn’t walk, this morning the nest was empty. I’m not surprised either as they were very big when I last saw them. The fledglings were not around, and neither were their parents … so much for a parting shot!
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It’s always hard when you don’t know what happened to them. I hope the Mom was able to move them to a safer place before the storm. It’s surprising how fast they can get them out and moving.
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Yes, we had a bad rainstorm and high winds Thursday morning. But the nest was still intact today. This nest was more secluded than last year’s nest which was on a lower branch and I saw the Red-Winged Blackbird attacking it twice while I was there – once it was just eggs, and once the hatchlings. I waved my arms and shouted at it and the mother robin returned and crashed into him purposely and he did go away. I hope they are okay.
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Miss Linda…………………………….thank you for the nice spring pictures of people outside enjoying the pleasant weather fishing……………………….it makes me want to start fishing right now………………………..
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I thought of you and Steven when I saw all the fishermen and fisherwomen lined up along the boardwalk and those guys with their fish. I have never seen big fish like that down at Ecorse Park or Bishop Park unless the boaters are catching them and I can’t see that far. I hope you and Steven get out this Summer on Wednesdays like you used to.
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What a wet but fun walk! I love interacting with people that way. Awesome pictures!
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Thanks Diane – I figured I’d stop and chat with those fishermen about their catch-of-the-day and I. thought of your son who likes fishing. Those were the biggest fish I’ve ever seen being caught along the Detroit River unless the boaters are getting bigger fish and I can’t see out that far in the boats. They must be getting some fish out there as they have big enough nets (or high hopes). The guy standing on that rock – what if a strong wind or a big fish tugged at the line and knocked him off that rock – even if you can swim, … yikes!
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LOL – okay, I’ll toss you a compliment – this was a fun post to read – they all are, but this was a different kind of entertaining! I’m too shy to talk to strangers – and look at all the fun I miss by not doing so! You’ve inspired me. Thank you for that! And now I must dash away – I’ve run out of bait for my ‘feeding the fishing for compliments’ for one day 😉
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Ha ha – now that surprises me that you are shy talking to strangers. You seem very outgoing. I was shy before I worked at the diner – it was the best job for me as it brought me out of my shell. What is funny is that with the small camera, I just sneak in photos here and there and no one really notices, but with the big camera, I guess I look like I might know what I’m doing and people seem more apt to chat it up. I am nosy though and always ask questions – I always ask the fisherman on the pier if they got any fish and what fish are running. Funny story: I went to our City’s farm market the week after I got the big camera. All I wanted to do was get the feel of it and the guy who is in charge of the Downtown Business Authority came rushing over, introduced himself and began pumping my hand. He asked if I was from the “News Herald” our local paper. “Nope I, just taking pictures of the fruits and veggies.” That was my answer. So he asked why. I don’t know why I said this but I said ‘I’m taking a photography class, the assignment is still life/shots of food” so I’m here. So if he didn’t ask me where I was taking the class. I said private lessons from a friend – grrr. He was very nice and I didn’t want to be rude, but “one lie begets another” as the saying goes.
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Yep, mostly shy, but I can also be outgoing – it just drains me when I do. I even enjoy public speaking, but again am exhausted afterward. Extroverts, I hear, are energized by that?! LOL – that’s a funny story – you should just say you’re the photographer for a local blog, and he’ll be featured in a story. The local business authorities will feature local bloggers, at least the one in my town will. I’ll have to take my big camera around town some day…when I get brave!
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Yes, he was nice but insistent on knowing why I was taking pictures. I think he thought I was similar to one of those food critics that go incognito and review restaurants. Our Farm Market is very small … right now they mostly have flowers in hanging baskets and flats and baked goods/candy and some crafts.
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I bet your Farmer’s Market is feeling the bad weather. Ours is too – the lot where they set up here has been flooded more than not. Crops are slow to get a start here.
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Same here with the crops – flooding and too cold. I usually check them out on Facebook as they have their own site so I can see who is scheduled. It is just a parking lot where the Painters Supply store is closed on Sundays. Well, now I’ll depart to be productive.
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That was fun! I think I would like to try fishing sometime….I never have. Trying to catch up tonight on 6 days of reading. tonight. That was really a lot of water you have around – we’ve had rain almost every day, but not that much, mostly just shorter showers, and more on the way this weekend and all next week.
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We had some more rain last night and we have severe weather coming in later when it gets really warm, maybe even hot, late afternoon/early evening. They have not pinpointed the time exactly but it will be probably our 5th severe weather event the last few weeks. I am behind in Reader too. I stayed up and tried to catch up last night as I knew I might not be on here much today due to the storm (I usually unplug the computer), but finally had to go to bed, I’ll be far behind – you will have lots to catch up on too from six days.
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the fish don’t have a chance Linda. Up here one cannot have multiple rods for starters and keeping such small fish doesn’t help maintain a healthy population.
I laughed at the guy perched on top of that rock.It looks like he’s wearing chest waders.Why isn’t he wading out further I wonder?
As far as that guy goes yelling to you about $20. I would of yelled back I charge much more than that to take your picture!
Americans call them “Walleye”,up here we call them “Pickerel” and I didn’t see any there. Those silver fish are something I’m not familiar with. Pickerel are a greenish colour and have nasty sharp spines along their dorsal (back) that always seem to prick the inexperienced.
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Each fisherman has multiple rods set up, usually between the railings, and last Sunday I saw something really different. Some guy had made a gizmo that looked a little like the small metal garden fences you put around your flowers to keep dogs out of them. Well he had this “fence” staked into the ground and the pole slipped through the “fence”.
He was fishing by himself, away from the crowd and had 4-5 rods propped up in this gizmo. So, yes, the fish are goners with a boardwalk full of fisherman with multiple rods. If that guy had chest waders on, it might not help as that water is very deep (52 feet in places). If a big fish grabbed the line, he might go in headfirst … I’d turn the pole loose at that point! I looked up an image of a Walleye after the guy told me that they were running – they are bigger, more greenish/gold with a larger fin on the top. I wanted to know for next time I go there and I can say “oh, you caught a walleye!” The boats are lined up at the shoreline and last year when I went on that cruise for eagle nests, the guide said the boats are so close together that you could step from boat to boat. If the fish were smart, they’d go somewhere else.
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all of these fishermen do have a impact on the local aquatic environment. Basically they are making a sterile environment. Once you remove a major player (like all the fish) in that eco web it can collapse. That has happened all over the world. It happened many years ago off the east coast of Canada. The northern Cod stock collapsed and still hasn’t come back. Yes that collapse was helped along by many countries coming into our territory but it was done mostly by fishermen. Plus If you could go back in time and stop the fishing or at least cut it down,your dead if your a politician! The fishermen will blame the people in charge if there is not enough fish (due to trying to preserve the stock) or if the stock collapses. Your dead either way.
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Soon fish will be one more thing that will be absent in the environment and as you say for the eco web, so what are our local herons, egrets and even pelicans going to eat? (Yes, we have pelicans at nearby parks – I just haven’t seen any) Plus our local waterways like Lake Erie are full of PFAS which has polluted the water and there are warnings not to eat the fish.
Humans can read a sign – the waterfowl can’t read unfortunately. PFAS has been found in the form of foam and comes from chemicals used for fire retardants, stain retardants (like Scotchguard) … it took decades to become lethal to fish, but it now is killing them here in Michigan.
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I’ve said it before “more of us,less of them”
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Very true. They will care one day.
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You can tell how high those water levels are!
That story with the fisherman made me chuckle. I think you did a great job by even knowing of silver bass!
LOL- I know you aren’t fishing for compliments, but I quite enjoyed this post as always 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it Mackenzie … yes I was just asking the fisherman at another pier … they made me look smart!
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I love hearing about all of the different people you meet on your walks. ❤
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They are all interesting in their own way jZena and I’m a real chatty person in some venues – at the Park where I walk, not so much as I just enjoy the nature experience.
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What a gorgeous bridge in a couple of photos, even with the high water, the extra green grass and water makes it look pretty cool in the background.
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That is a beautiful park Sandra – it is actually an island and connects to the mainland by that big bridge and two smaller, but identical-looking bridges. They will celebrate their 100th anniversary in a couple of years. The big bridge which you see in this picture is where many couples go for homecoming, prom or wedding photos. In fact, you’ll see a post I did, probably in late 2018, where a wedding party was shivering while taking pictures on the bridge. Bride had an ermine stole on. I took a few pictures of her/wedding party.
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It looks like it is a great back drop for photos. I love those arch bridges like that. Most of the bridges around here are to modern now. They are taking down an old bridge that spans across the Mississippi River, it is very unique looking bridge. But it is old and does need to be replaced. I don’t like crossing that bridge at all. But it is very pretty also. It is getting replaced by the modern looking bridge with the large arch that goes across it. It has been fascinating to watch this bridge getting built. What an engineering marvel to me.
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Yes, it is a beautiful bridge Sandra and it underwent some restoration several years ago. In the Wintertime, unless it is clear as a bone on the cement, no one goes on the bridge as they don’t use any salt to keep the cement from crumbling more. There is some crumbling going on, but it is still safe to cross. The steps are very shallow … two steps would equal one normal-sized step. And the other bridges that cross the canal further down are exact duplicates in design, just smaller. The willow trees by all these old bridges are gorgeous when all leafed out. I took some pictures the last two times I was there of them – they leaf out fairly early.
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I love willow trees. I planted a couple up north from cuttings I took off another tree. Hopefully they make it. I put it next to the pond.
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They are beautiful at this Park. There is a big willow tree that I’ve taken pictures of in the past. It has a huge weep and a massive trunk – you have to stand back and admire it in its glory.
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And they are easy to propagate I read. So I took a couple cuttings off of another willow and put it in water until roots started, planted it up north. And put a fence around it, it has leaves on it all summer last year. I will see what it is doing this summer. I might just buy a bigger one of that tree also just to have one mostly grown already.
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Yes, it will give it a stronger start which is helpful.
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