Elk Rapids Almanac
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January 2017
January 10- Around the upper and lower harbors I spotted three muskrats near the end of the boating season. They were occasionally seen in November and December. Within the past two weeks, one muskrat was spotted navigating throughout the partially ice-covered Kids Fishing Pond and also swimming across open water in Elk Rapids Upper Harbor. (Harbormaster Eric Crissman) January 15- On a brisk sunny day, with fresh snow on the ground and temperatures just below freezing, we hiked along the beach through Memorial Park. Approaching the library we heard squeals, laughter, and people having fun. Here was wildlife of another kind, three generations enjoying an outdoor birthday party, with sleds, snowballs, kids, parents, grandparents. The birthday girl had requested a party in the snow, and the family obliged. Author Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods, would have been happy to see them. (Royce Ragland and friends) January 18- Enjoying a spring thaw and winter sunshine, we walked along the river in search of animal life. From the wooden footbridge we overlooked Elk River, the water chute, and the thriving duck population. With an increase in ice cover, the year-round ducks now find open water in the bypass river below Cedar Street. The mallards, a type of dabbling or puddle ducks, feed in shallow water on aquatic vegetation. A female Common merganser was spotted in the river as well, a type of diving duck that plunges beneath the surface and eats deeper bottom food like fish and aquatic insects. Other diving ducks, including Redheads and Common Goldeneyes have been seen recently. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide (Naturalist Angie Lucas and Royce Ragland) January 20- Morning Music. The snow crunches beneath my boots; the birdsong whispers the tune of spring; the wind whistles through the tree branches---this morning music surrounds me on my daily walk. Nature has so many gifts to offer if we are mindful of her presence. (Terri Reisig) |
Common Merganser |