The changing colors seen in these silver maples is no doubt due to the stress of the high-water rather that the approaching fall season.
For the past couple days, I have been taking an early morning paddle in my solo canoe into the backwaters of Wacouta Bay. At present, the river level is at least 4 feet above normal conditions for the last week of August. With upwards of 5 inches of rain in the St. Cloud area yesterday, I see no rapid drop in the river level anytime soon. Despite the high-water, my tours have provided several surprising observations.
The cardinal flowers featured in an earlier post are still as vibrant as ever despite standing in 12 inches of water.
Adult bald eagles are still observed perching in tall trees near nests that were active earlier this summer.
This female kingfisher and it's mate are frequently observed diving head first into the water in search of their next meal of fish.
Swan Goose
On two previous paddles, I encountered this bird at quite a distance. As I would try to get closer, it would swim back into the flooded willows. Finally last Friday, I was able to get close enough to take this photo. After enhancing the photo on our computer, I was surprised to see that it was in the company of a hen wood duck. Swan geese are native to China and Inner Mongolia. Evidently they were imported to this country to sell to farmers for meat production. This goose no doubt escaped and has been surviving in the nearby backwaters. Given the fact that this bird is not capable of flying, it will probably provide a meal for either an eagle or coyote with the approach of ice up and winter.
Canoeists headed south
Yesterday morning as I was in the main channel paddling back to Presbyterian Point, I encountered two canoeists from the state of Maine who were on their way to New Orleans. This was day 4 of their trip which started at Clearwater north of the Twin Cities. They were hoping to paddle as far as Wabasha before making their next camp.