“Come on in – the water’s fine!
It is highly unlikely you expected to open this post and see a dog as the header image – more on this pooch later.
While I am usually behind reporting on my jaunts, I decided to push last Thursday’s walk at Lake Erie Metropark to the front of the line as this week’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge is Water, Waterscapes, and/or Water Safety.
Reflection perfection.
It was an early morning marsh meander on May 16th and for once there wasn’t so much as a breeze. We have had incessant windy days for the past month, making a walk along any shoreline venue less desirable.
The water was still and the filtered sun’s rays had me taking a few photos of the reflections at the marsh as soon as I stepped out of the car. A Canada goose was admiring its reflection and I’ll save those photos for my next Wordless Wednesday post.
The tree trunks’ reflections bisected the marsh …
… and the pond lilies, still sans blooms, looked a little like a Monet painting, that is if you squinted just right.
Even the straw-colored reeds, always last to green up, cast pretty reflections.
A female Mallard Duck was distracted by the camera’s shutter button and quickly swiveled her head around, then promptly ignored me.
I’ve been parking here at the Shore Fishing Bridge to catch a glimpse of the pair of Sandhill Cranes who were here every time I visited in 2023 and early 2024, that is until the last month. I have a hunch she is sitting on a nest as I’ve only seen one Sandhill Crane here.
Just then a car pulled into the lot, a man jumped out and, as the vehicle hatch lifted up, he grabbed a straw hat and his fishing gear just as I passed. I said “good morning” then, after asking him if he came here often, I realized my question sounded like a cheesy pickup line, so I quickly amended it by adding “I’m looking for the Sandhill Crane pair and maybe their offspring; I’ve been here three or four times lately and only seen one Crane.” He said “well they fly around a lot and I’ve seen them on the other side recently and just them, no offspring.”
Okay then … so he left and I was off to explore – maybe the Cranes needed a change of pace, just like we humans do sometimes.
I thought I’d vary my route a little …
… due to my multiple recent visits, all along different paths, but I was determined to see and photograph the Sandhill Cranes with their Colt.
The first stop was the wooden overlook and I was happy to see the Barn Swallows had returned, dipping and diving near the murky marsh as fishermen cast out their lines. They never rested, so no shots this time.
On the shoreline, the unmistakable silhouette of a Double-Crested Cormorant got my attention.
His buddy almost photo-bombed the shot.
I moved along, trying to decide which path to take today. The Cherry Island Trail was my best bet since we had not had rain in a few days, but it is rustic – should I worry about ticks? These days it is all about the abundance of ticks thanks to our warm Winter. All the rain and resulting pools of water will soon bring mosquitoes.
Straying from the asphalt path, but ever-mindful of ticks and flooded pathways, I wandered along a short gravel road and mused that in six years of walking at this 1,607-acre (6.50 km) venue with its three miles (4.82 kms) of shoreline, I’d never tried this trail and its nooks and crannies. Soon I had a marsh to the left, another to the right.
The marsh was alive with the calls of Red-winged Blackbirds perched on exploding cattail stalks like these.
A Great Blue Heron interrupted my thoughts with its obnoxious squawking as it passed overhead …
… then skidded to a stop, surprising a bale of turtles basking in the morning rays.
Usually if you blink at the turtles, they plop into the water one by one, but these remained on their log, seemingly unfazed by the Heron’s rude intrusion into the quiet ambiance of the marsh.
To my left was a teenage boy, standing next to his bicycle, fishing line cast out with high hopes as a large fishing net was near his feet. I asked if he got any fish yet and he said “no” but pointed to the water which was churning wildly. Even though the water wasn’t crystal clear, I could see large fish right below the surface.
I asked the young man if it was Carp stirring up the water like that and he nodded his head yes.
I hung around about 15 minutes, took a ton of photos, thinking you could see a head or tail or the whole beast, but came home with this that looked like a shark’s dorsal fin – yikes!
No Carp chased one another out of the water as often happens, but overhead I saw the flapping of wings in a shadow and there was a Red-tailed Hawk hovering high above, no doubt scoping out the fine fish below.
The Hawk ultimately decided these fish were too big to carry off in its talons and moved on, as did I.
This Red-winged Blackbird, looking very regal with its colorful, military-inspired badges, had positioned himself on a dead tree and was striking against the very blue sky. His trilling carried in the stillness of the marsh on a morning truly worthy of a song.
It was getting warmish. I kept on going down this gravel road, stopping to take a photo of these flowers and the nesting box – no occupants that I could tell.
And then I saw a flash of brown in the distance – the Sandhill Cranes perhaps? Nope, it was a deer. The doe, which looked like it was pregnant, paused and checked me out while pondering “friend or foe?” “Friend” I told her as I approached slowly, then said “now stay put and hold that pose please.” Obediently, the doe did just that, then it scooted away, white tail flashing as it leapt into the dense woods.
I decided to head back as I saw no buildings, no more trails and, while reeling over my good fortune to run into the deer on this roadway, I heard someone yelling in the distance. I couldn’t make out what they said right away then heard a male voice clearly “dog – come back here!” Then “c’mon – it’s time to go dog!” As I approached a little bridge where the teen was still fishing, along with two other young men, all I could see was a furry head making swift progress as it dog-paddled across the marsh.
The dog’s owner (I assume) kept calling the word “dog” in an effort to get it over to the shoreline, but the stubborn pooch kept going in circles in the murky marsh.
He turned to me and said “Dog loves it in the water – he’s a spaniel, born and bred to retrieve waterfowl, but he doesn’t touch ’em, just goes in swimming” then added “if Dog paddles on one side of the marsh, he comes out a little green, but then (pointing), the water is clearer over there, so he comes out smelling fishy!”
We chatted a bit while I watched Dog doing his dog-paddling routine, then the man finally convinced him to come ashore. I knew enough to step back, anticipating a vigorous shake as water droplets flew when Dog shook off the swamp crud, then trotted off with the man.
A moment later I heard barking and Dog ran to the bushes just as a trio of deer, white tails flashing, exited the grounds for the bushes. I heard “I told you we don’t bark at deer Dog!” Well, a split second earlier I might have added another photo of deer … sigh.
I crossed the wooden overlook and tried my luck with the dozen or so Barn Swallows blitzing around and below that wooden walkway, but they didn’t perch, so I headed to the car, glad to sit down after a two-hour, five-mile meander.
I am joining Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Water, Waterscapes, and/or Water Safety.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Sorry Linda, that isn’t a Baldie ,that’s a Red Tailed Hawk. The tail feathers are the best way of telling.
I think those Carp are mating? They sure do a lot of splashing and are BIG!
You saw all sorts of critters but no Cranes unfortunately.
Great shots!
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OK, thanks Wayne – I’ll have to edit it out. I originally thought it was an Osprey. This bird had a solid white head which made me think it was a Baldie. I left that picture out, which showed more of his head as it was really too far away. I was shooting into the sun, so shooting blindly.
As to the Carp, down at the Park, we walkers would see them chasing one another out of the Creek, doing high leaps during mating season. However, I waited around, hoping to get some photos of them leaping out of the water – no leaps, just a lot of churning water. So yes, they might have been mating, but they sure are big … the one pic with the close-up shows you how big they are.
I did see the Crane (one of them) just as I got back to the car. I took some photos of it and will use it as a Wordless Wednesday post. I had it in this post, but the post was getting too long so I deleted them.
Thank you – I am glad you liked them!
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OK, I just fixed it Wayne. Thank you again.
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I finally made it here, Linda. Even though I’m logging in through Jetpack I had to log in to comment from my phone which causes me other issues, since I’m obviously logged in. You might want to think about changing themes (I have no idea what yours is but it could be unsupported) hence some of your issues.
So, I love that cute dog swimming, that’s what Brodie would do if I let him. I’m surprised the water isn’t cold. All your birds are amazing, the carp mating and all that wildlife is so wonderful to see, all because of water! I love the great blue heron, too. And I didn’t know 4 of the Great Lakes border Michigan! Wow! Great to see your link for Sunday Stills!
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I am using “Twenty Ten” theme, which is still supported (they say as I asked). It is a popular theme and I see it on several bloggers’ sites – I picked it as it was easy and stuck with it since 2013 when I began blogging. I hope that is not the reason.
I knew you would love the cute dog swimming and I had another walk all ready to use, also with a lot of water in the photos, but the dog a/k/a “Dog” clinched it. I wouldn’t think the water was that warm yet to be honest, even with all that fur. There was lots to see at the marsh. Michigan is big on boating and fishing especially.
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Another great walk Linda. Love the reflection and bird photos. Bloody dogs off the leash in a nature park
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Thank you Brian. Lots of birds at this marsh and I was early enough to get some nice reflections. Dogs are supposed to be leashed in all the Metroparks. We have 13 Metroparks in Southeast Michigan and in the largest one, Kensington Metropark, someone ditched an alligator last week in one of the lakes there. We don’t have alligators in Michigan, so the authorities think it was someone’s pet. Right now there are goslings, ducklings, cygnets and colts (baby cranes) galore. How cruel is that? It’s not been caught yet.
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Wow
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Oh good. The 201… something series themes are good solid themes. I changed mine 1 year ago to apostrophe 2. I change mine every couple years. WP has so much to offer and keep up with.
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I Googled before and WP had an article in April this year about it being one of the most popular themes and was their default theme in 2010.
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Beautiful , Love the reflection and bird photos. Bloody dogs off the leash in a nature park. Thee Great Lakes border Michigan! Wow! Great to see your for Sunday.
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Glad you liked the post Raj.
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I hope when you go back that you find the cranes, they are such a neat looking bird!
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I hope I find them too Susan … I dod end up seeing one at the very end and near the usual place, but only one and I find that odd. If she is on a nest, it’s about 30 days and I’ve gone back multiple times the last 30 days. The other Metroparks have Crane offspring that are already up to their parents’ knees, so hope is fading fast for me for 2024. Next I’ll set my sights on a fawn. 🙂
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Proof that a calm day is the best day to see so many critters! What a fun adventure you took us on. I chuckled that you recovered from the pick-up line moment. 😂 You captured a pregnant deer too – wouldn’t it be fun to see her fawn next time you’re out there on a calm morning? The name Dog is interesting – I didn’t know it was allowed to let your dogs swim at parks like this one? No risk for catching some kind of bacteria in the water? Anyhoo – nice job on the water prompt, your reflection photos are stunning!
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Thank you Shelley! I really like water reflections and it was so still that day, so a good morning for reflections. We have had so many windy days the last month or so, it was refreshing. Yes, after I uttered that line, I thought it was not the right approach … also he looked at me kind of funny after I said it. Maybe it was the sun hat with the flap going down the back of my neck. Hmm. If I can’t find a Colt to photograph, next I set my sights on a fawn. Maybe this doe’s fawn – I wonder if she’d remember me. I got three photos of her before she bolted. Yes, I realized when I caught up to him and the dog that Dog was its name. No, I wouldn’t think they’d allow dogs in the marsh because you are supposed to keep them on leash. I wouldn’t think it would be safe for the dogs in the marsh to be honest – it’s kind of murky and full of fish and seaweed there.
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You’re welcome. I always enjoy your reflection photos – your composition and framing is enchanting.
It feels odd that we have to celebrate the calm days so much now that we seem to live in a tundra with all the wind.
I hope you find a colt or the fawn. That would be so fun for you and for us!
I would think that name would be confusing for the Dog. It’s sad when people don’t follow the leash recommendations. A dog can get very sick very fast if the bacteria is off in the pond they swim/drink in.
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Thank you – reflections are so pretty and it was nice to have still waters and calm winds. Today we had no wind, but it was stinkin’ hot! Today was an errand day and by the time I got home at 11:15, it was 80 degrees and humid – no walk at the Park today. I hope Mother Nature turns off the stove for a little while. I would not let my dog swim in that marsh – I’m sure there is bacteria in here. There was the boy a few years ago that had a small cut and went swimming in a pond and got a MRSA infection from a contaminant and got flesh-eating disease. Very scary. We had an instance where a lot of Mallard Ducks on a Michigan shoreline were in a lake contaminated with algae and they all died. Yet, I can remember my grandmother talking about her and her eight siblings going to a pond/watering hole to swim on hot days … probably just as dirty and they never got sick.
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Glad to read you got your errands done and made it back to enjoy the A/C. We do seem to be jumping into the heat a bit too fast, where’s the gradual change to summer?
Yes, I remember as a kid being able to play in puddles and ditches and ponds and not have to worry. Nowadays, I wouldn’t though. That’s sad about the boy. Scary indeed!
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I was worn out from that heat and it was all inside errands, but running in/out of the house afterward. And today was hot too – we broke a record set in 1947 with the heat. I think we got to 84 today. I agree with you Shelley. What happened to a gradual change to Summer? In late Spring, we went from a coat to a long-sleeved sweater or shirt, then short sleeves … gradual, just like it gets a little lighter out every morning.
I wouldn’t want to dip my toe into anything anymore – too much stuff in the water. Someone pitched a picnic table into the Creek at Council Point Park and they fished it out about a week later and put it back out, but this time they chained it to a tree. I wouldn’t even think of sitting on it, let along eating from it. Yes, it was scary about the boy; I felt badly for him.
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I had to put on my winter coat again yesterday to walk early in the morning! By afternoon, I didn’t need a jacket, just a short-sleeved shirt. Craziness!
Yeah…I’d stay away from water too. I wouldn’t sit on that table either. I’m guessing they maybe washed it off or think the rain will clean it?
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That is crazy – it was nice here today, beautiful with no humidity, but it is hot now – 80. Rain after tomorrow night and thru Wednesday unfortunately. I stick close to home on holiday weekends due to high traffic volume. Sometimes I’d go out on the middle day of a holiday weekend, but now not necessary. I’m thinking the table, even after all the rain, would be germy and not thinking they washed it down.
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What a pretty pregnant doe! The give birth in late May or early June so I imagine you will be seeing some sweet little fawns soon. I wish people would follow the rules and keep their dogs on leashes so they wouldn’t chase after deer and other wildlife. Sigh. Dog is such a strange name for a dog. Kind of like naming a baby Human. I love the pictures that look like Monet paintings. Reflections are so much fun to photograph. I hope you do eventually catch up with those sandhill cranes!
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I thought that doe was pretty too Barbara. I was glad it stood there checking me out and didn’t just bolt, but it was quiet and no vehicles around, so I guess she felt safe. I’m sure the barking scared those three deer. so as I rounded the bend, I just saw their tails – too bad, I might have had more deer in this post. Dogs are not supposed to be off leash in the Metroparks and are not allowed on the nature trails. I like water reflections – these really reminded me of Monet’s pond pictures I’ve seen – I’ve not been lucky enough to see the originals. I guess if the fisherman saw them flying around, she is not injured or on a nest, but it seems odd to me. I did see the one, so I have some photos of him (assuming it’s the male), but that’s it. I will use them for a Wordless Wednesday.
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You have to love spring! So green, things growing and babies ready to pop!
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Yes, all of a sudden, green everywhere (like the weeds in my backyard … some new fast-growing weed that looks like Asparagus Fern. I’ve never had it before and it is everywhere and it is clingy, attaching to the patio railing and roses. I didn’t look back there for a few days and it’s everywhere). I hope I see a fawn the next time I return.
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Always love sunlight on the water, Linda.
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Yes, it is beautiful and peaceful Pam.
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Finally, I get back here to read and not just skim. It is a wonderful post of observations, photos and stories! I don’t know why you are so hard about your photography. Sure, not all are perfect but any professional wildlife photographer could show you photo after photo that was blurred or spoiled by a blue heron (Oh, how could you be mad!). I think you get some truly excellent shots in with the ones you don’t love as much. But they’re all fun to get a chance to follow you around the park!
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Thank you for saying that Zazzy – I do feel sometimes like I miss the mark, but then I tell myself I am not a professional photographer and I doubt very much I will ever take the time to learn how to shoot with manual settings instead of just using automatic like I do now. I will just call myself a lucky photographer instead. I did come home with a lot of duds from this walk, not just with the fish in the water, but I was trying to catch them jumping like they do at Council Point Park and there were bushes so you couldn’t see them, just heard them belly flopping down. I saw a Song Sparrow once and it was tilting its head up in the air while singing sweetly. Took about 20 photos of it – only one with its mouth open, the rest it is just looking to the side or looking at me. 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed meandering around with me. It was a fun walk – now I set my sights on a fawn.
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An “accidental pick-up line” – that may be a first, Linda. Nice recovery too! If I come back as a bird maybe I’d like to be a double-breasted cormorant. I’m not very striking but man I sure have a fancy name. Love how the turtles could care less about the much bigger heron in their midst. I think animals have a sharp sense when it comes to other species. Our dog reacts to some dogs but could care less about others. Reacts to some people but could care less about others (maybe because their “animal” people?)
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Ha ha – yes a quick comeback wasn’t it? Dave, those Cormorants are pretty cool with their long bills with a hook on the end and when they get wet they hold their wings sideways to dry. Because they are solid black they look like a vampire holding its cloak open. I was amazed at those turtles too … they will slide off a log or the ramp at Heritage Park once they catch sight of you, but these were unfazed. You are right about that – call it an animal’s sense. I would like to consider myself an “animal” person, but right now at Council Point Park, it is so torn up as they have cut down all the trees and bushes along the Creek that the squirrels are skittish and afraid, even of me. I will be writing about this, but it is a new experience for me since I never had to coax them to come to me before – they have lost their nests and for some their offspring due to this Creek-widening project that began two weeks ago. It is not the same ambiance it once was.
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Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to see a dog as your top photo, Linda. Funny that the man seemed to be calling this spaniel Dog as the dogs name! Although sometimes, I call my dog, Yorkie, when I’m out walking among strangers, especially at the seawall. Sometimes strangers will respond with what is the Yorkie’s name? And I will say, I call her Yorkie. I have to get to know someone before I share her name and personal information. I’m protective. The photo of the spaniel is beautiful! I would have loved watching the dog! But what a mess when it got out of the water. Good thinking to stand back knowing it would shake!!
I am giggling at your cheesy pickup line with the fisherman!
What a wonderful walk! So calm with a variety of characters to observe and write about on that day!! I think it is probably just what you needed for a day’s exercise. 🫠
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I am glad you enjoyed going along with me on my walk TD. As I got closer I realized that was his dog’s name. It was paddling pretty quickly, all around the marsh and no matter how often the man called the dog, it just ignored him, which was kind of funny to watch. And by then there were the three young fishermen and me watching the dog and the man. It finally came out and yes, I’m glad I stepped back as that was a mighty shake! After I asked my question, I realized I should try a different approach. 🙂 I really did have a lot of critters I saw and interactions all packed into my morning excursion. 🙂
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I love walking my dogs off leash, but time and place matters. That Dog was not in compliance! But I enjoyed your photos and walk. Glad you did finally see a crane.
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The Metroparks are pretty firm on their rules … you must use a leash and no dogs on nature trails or near nature areas. They also forbid feeding the animals – even tossing a peanut to a squirrel is forbidden. I’m glad you enjoyed my photos and walk Eilene. I did see the one crane and got some close-up shots of it – I’ll be using those photos in a Wordless Wednesday post next week. Now I’ll set my sights on a fawn.
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Lots of wonderful nature to see on your walk! I’m glad the deer stayed put and posed long enough for a photo. I found a tiny tick on myself this past weekend. It was so small that I wasn’t sure that’s what it was at first. I’m guessing that it’s going to be a bad summer for them.
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I had a great morning walk Rebecca! I was happy about the deer not bolting once she saw me and now I’ll look forward to seeing a fawn since I know they will arrive in late May/early June. When I first began walking here in June 2018, there was a wooded area with a pond, barely visible from the path and a mother deer and two fawns were inside. A group of people had gathered to watch them, so I went over too. But the pond had a lot of mosquitos and none of us were able to get too close or stay more than a few minutes as mosquitos were swarming everywhere. You’re lucky you found that tick. I’m really concerned about the ticks and I read to tuck your pants into your socks. I think I am just going to stay on the asphalt or cement paths if at all possible this year.
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You have to wonder how the poor animals can stand living in the mosquito infested woods. We have a path at the refuge that we like to walk, but we know better than to walk it in the summer because of the mosquitoes. Good advice on the ticks.
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Yes, that area was so swampy and full of mosquitoes. I follow a blogger who hikes in a lot of woodsy areas with lots of ticks and she said wearing gaiters helps any ticks that might go up your pants legs. I searched for regular gaiters and found these specially made for ticks on Amazon. I won’t put the link, but search for: 3D Mesh Tick Repelling Leg Gaiters … they come in a high and low style. They don’t have a strap under your boot like a regular gaitor would, but use Velcro. They are treated with a product to repel ticks.
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Thanks, Linda. I’ll do a search.
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I hope it works out for you Rebecca. Anything to thwart those hitchhikers!
(WP is acting up – I hope you don’t get multiple comments from me replying to your comment.)
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I hope it works out for you Rebecca to thwart those nasty ticks!
(WP is acting up – I hope you don’t get multiple comments from me replying to your comment.)
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Looks like you had an excellent meander, even though you did not spot your “target bird”. So much to see in the marsh in the springtime.
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Yes, it was a beautiful day and lots to see Laurie. I will have to try next year for the Colt unless this pair got a late start starting a family. Now I have to set my sights on finding a fawn.
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Yes, it was an excellent meander Laurie – maybe I’ll have better luck next time seeing the pair and their offspring. Next time I go out I will be looking for fawn(s)!
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That’s a heck of a meander, but you did see some interesting things. Sorry you didn’t find the bird you were looking for, but glad you took it in stride. 😉
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It was quite a long meander Ally, though sometimes in the past I’ve walked a diagonal cut across the park going six miles altogether which was fun, but that required walking through the grass, so I’ll have to avoid that this year. Between all the construction, ticks and the “project” demolishing the shoreline of Council Point Park, this year is turning out to be nothing special as far as walking. Now I’ll set my sights on seeing a fawn or two.
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What an amazing hike this was Linda! The “Dog” was so cute and really enjoying himself! Great pictures Linda!
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I really enjoyed this walk Diane. It was a warm day, but not as oppressive as it is right now – we broke a record from 1947 with today’s heat. “Dog” kept paddling back and forth effortlessly without stopping and I think he only came out of the marsh because his owner was getting louder and more impatient. 🙂 Glad you liked the photos!
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Really nice walk. Every time I see you post about this park I think I need to get there. Lots of really cool stuff there! Thanks for sharing.
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I did luck out for this walk Dawn. I seem to be luckier when I get there early. I’m hoping to see and photograph a fawn or two, but then I said that about the Colt as well. Perhaps they have it well hidden and it will be up to its parents’ knees when I see it. 🙂 This park is nice and I like it better than the other three Metroparks in my area.
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Super sweet shots, Linda! 😊 I especially liked the Great Blue Heron! You sure reveal your wonderful closeness to nature (through these photographs).
Those carps splashing were likely mating. It’s that time of year for them. My grandfather used to catch carps that were huge (maybe 5 feet long in those days). He would then give them away.
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Thank you Tom for your kind words. The Great Blue Herons always amaze me – so scrawny and gangly looking but perfectly streamlined in flight. I was amazed the turtles never moved when it landed. As to the carps splashing, I wondered about that too, but there were multiple groups of them at one time then, so that threw me off on that idea. When I walk at the Park or the Wildlife Refuge at Humbug Marsh this time of year, I only see the carps jumping out of the water while chasing one another – nothing more. Maybe the carps are luckier here at the marsh. 🙂 These carps were huge as it was and I tried to capture that but was unsuccessful, but a five foot carp would have been huge and provided a lot of food.
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very late commenting. THese are great. i love the song of the red wing black bird.
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Thank you Kirstin. I love their song too. I must have seen 100 red wing black birds that morning in the marsh!
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This was a fun walk, Linda. Lots to see and some great photos. The other day I was working near our pond, close to where the cattails are, and the red winged black bird was sitting on top of the windmill cussing me out because it has a nest in the cattails and apparently thought I was too close. LOL!
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Yes, it was Ruth. Those red winged black birds are pretty vocal and they are mean. I once saw them pecking on geese that were coming from the Creek up the bank and I have seen them attacking the Sandhill Cranes too. Stay safe with this storm tonight.
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It looks like you had a wonderful walk. Such a variety of wildlife (and domesticated canines). I love the cormorant silhouette and, of course, the red-winged blackbird.
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Yes, it was a wonderful walk Linda. I don’t always see deer and usually when I do, it is driving in or out of the park and you are not allowed to stop. The red-winged blackbirds are plentiful in the marsh and fill the air with their trilling.
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