Explore an urban wetland this fall or winter
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River otter in wetland. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2020
As I was considering the topic of my blog post for this week, I couldn’t help but think it’s such a small thing compared to all of the BIGNESS that is happening in our world these days—Covid, elections, social justice, and violence to name a few. But then I thought, maybe small is what we each need right now. Because no matter how out of control and unnerving the world seems today, change starts on an individual level. I believe that is where healing begins and that will, ultimately, lead to change on a bigger scale.
I’m not a super political person, but I’m solid in my values, in what aligns with me—integrity, honesty, family, loving connections, openness, and service to name a few. I have great affection for my fellow humanity and I believe we are all in this together—a cliche I know, but it’s a cliche because it’s true on so many levels.
So in light of all of this upheaval, I’m bringing it down to me. I’m reminding myself of WHY I created Nature Me. It aligns with my heart—it’s the intersection of my love of writing, nature, and service to others. Simply put, my hope is that my articles and posts inspire you to tap into nature’s empowering and uplifting energy. It may seem small, but it’s genuine to me and all I know for sure is that is what truly matters.
With that in mind, here is a post about how to escape from the bedlam for a few hours in the coming months. And maybe, just maybe you’ll remember your own “why” to carry you onward.
Explore and urban wetland this fall or winter
We are standing on a bridge that spans a murky slough. Out of the blue a family of five river otters appear. They swim playfully splashing, tumbling and rolling around effortlessly. The show is extraordinary. I watch for 15 minutes before they merrily swim off. My significant other snaps his Nikon long lens a zillion times. It’s the perfect end to our morning walk around a wetland near our home.
Wetlands are wild and wonderful. They are often a land of connecting marshes, swamps, ponds, and sloughs. Their grasses and waters provide critical food and shelter for a large variety of animals and birds.
You can often find wetlands near your home. There is a growing trend among urban developers to preserve naturally wet areas in urban areas around the world. In other words, developers are building with and around natural habitats instead of destroying them.
Wetlands can range in size from a small marshy area covered with cattails to a large complex of marshes, ponds, and swamps connected by sloughs. One time I was thrilled while wandering through an-out-of town neighborhood when I discovered a small wetland covered with cattails. Marsh wrens were making their distinct buzzy, raspy calls while building nests and singing songbirds were flitting about. A nice path circled the area giving neighborhood walkers an up-close look at wetland life.
Water levels and vegetation can vary by season. Checking out a wetland any time of the year is good fun, but fall and winter are ideal due to the reduced vegetation and wintering grounds for thousands of ducks and geese.
Most wetlands offer helpful interpretive signs, viewing platforms, boardwalks and trails. Some have auto routes that wind around them giving you a good look at the abundant plants, animals, and birds that shelter there.
The marshy waters provide refuge for birds while they are nesting, migrating and wintering. While exploring you might see wading birds such as herons, egrets or bitterns. Hawks skimming above the marshes are common. In the winter months ponds and lakes will be teaming with waterfowl making it easy for children to watch geese and ducks.
If you really hit the jackpot you might spot a muskrat, beaver, or mink hunting in grasses or swimming across a pond. A few years back, we were standing along the edge of a pond scanning it with binoculars when I spotted something swimming toward us. A muskrat or beaver I guessed. As it got closer, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a mink! It paid no attention to us as it swam ashore and made a fast beeline right past us to a gap under some old wooden stairs a few feet away. What a sight. We just couldn’t stop grinning. Weasels are just a exciting to see in the wild. We’ve spotted many of these curious little creatures foraging around wetlands.
When visiting a wetland, binoculars and field guides are helpful if you have them, but not necessary. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Check out the destinations section for more places to go.
