Shhhh... (we're going into the Swamp)

Yes, we are going into the swamp.  Don't worry, we are going in a kayak.  We are looking for dragonflies, but we will probably get distracted.  That is the way of swamps.

Please read this in a whisper (even if you are reading it 'in your head'). That is how you should talk in a swamp, so you can listen for things like the sounds the cattails make when the wind stirs them.

It is mid-morning, so it's not too hot yet.  Dragonflies should be still, waiting for the day to warm up before they fly.  So, we'll need to search for them.  Keep your eye out for them on possible perches!

Meanwhile, the king of the swamp will keep his eye on us, and stay at the far end of the swamp.  Do you see him there... way in the distance?

 He's watching.  But let's try not to get distracted by birds.  We are looking for dragonflies.

None here.

Or here.  Though it is a fascinating miniature 'world' on a fallen log.  I wonder how many kinds of plants a botanist could identify in that small area of the swamp?

We startle two Wood Ducks, who then use their feet to paddle as fast as they can for cover.  Look at the wake they left behind!

Snapping pictures from a kayak can be challenging, and I almost deleted the next one.  Then on close inspection of it, I saw the ducks had not quite disappeared into the safety of the cattails.  Can you pick them out?

We've been very slowly floating along, only paddling once and awhile.  Now,  I'll push our kayak into some vegetation to anchor the boat for awhile.  Maybe some dragonflies will come flying by.  Instead I hear the high-pitched buzzes of Cedar Waxwings.  Where are they?

There are three Waxwings in this photo!

As they get used to our presence, they land on perches closer and closer.

They fly out and back, in a manner called 'hawking' as they catch and eat flying insects.  One eventually feels comfortable enough to preen on a limb near the kayak.

There must be tiny insects flying about, but I still haven't seen a single dragonfly!  There are other things to look at though.  I enjoy unique-looking reflections...

...and spend a good bit of time trying to get a focused photo of the tiny Bladderwort flowers.  They are only about 2" tall.

I spend more time taking a panoramic photo of the swamp, looking in the direction of our house.

I like to look at this clump of driftwood (can it be called driftwood in a swamp?) from our house, now we can see it up close from the kayak.

I keep looking for dragonflies, really I do! But there were none on that picturesque spot either.

As we float by one of the Wood Duck boxes, I wonder if there was a nest in it this year.  

I'll find out next winter when I can walk on the ice to check inside.  Now it's time to head back toward the dock.

I don't use the dock anymore (I don't think I need to explain why!), but it's still where I put the boat in and out of the water. 

But wait!  Something goes zooming by and lands on a muddy pile of 'stuff'.  

Finally, a dragonfly!  It's a pretty one, too.... red or would you say it's orange?  I don't know much about dragonflies except that I think they are neat.  My brother said he would come to visit if I found a rare one.  Well, brother??? 

I'd say, "to be continued" but that will remain to be seen!  






 

Sittin' on the Dock of the Swamp

Sung to the tune of... well, I think you know the tune!  (with apologies to Otis Redding).

Sittin’ in the afternoon sun
I won’t be sittin’ when the evening comes
Cause my camera battery won’t last that long
And mosquitos would be drivin’ me home, yeah

 I’m sitting on the dock of the swamp
Watchin’ the dragonflies play, ooh
I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the swamp
Wastin’ time

I left my home a short distance away
Headed for where green herons play
Cuz I’ve got my binoculars and my SX-50
Waiting to see what’s gonna come my way

Green Heron

Cedar Waxwing 'hawking' for insects to eat

So, I’m just gon’ sit on the dock of the swamp
Watchin’ the wood ducks pass by, ooh
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the swamp
Wastin’ time

Looks like things might change
If a board gives way I won’t remain the same
But I can’t worry about that now
So I guess I’ll remain, listen

Sittin’ here resting my bones
Not lonely cause it's so beautiful  and it’s home
Only a few hundred yards I roam
Just to make this dock my own, now

I’m just gon’ sit on the dock of the swamp
Watchin’ hawks and listenin’ to marsh sounds, ooh
Sittin’ on the dock of the swamp
Wastin’ time

Red-tailed Hawk (with snake?)

(Ends in harmonic whistling of birds, and also some squawking by the Green Heron)
Note: All photos were taken this afternoon except the one of the house (taken on a kayaking excursion) and the two of the cedar waxwing which were shot on July 17th but I couldn't resist putting them in.  

Heat Wave Haiku

Too hot for words
I’ll try something new

photos, Haiku

Creatures with wings
and creatures without
brighten hot days

Blue Dasher dragonfly

Glistening dragons
or are they damsels?
pause a moment

Shade beckons me
take a closer look
hop! tiny toad 

American Toad

Brilliant ‘sally’
not too far away
friends? not, I’d say

Red Eft Salamander

Garden surprise
where did you come from?
welcome to stay

Garter Snake

Summer colors
gracefully flutter
soon will be gone

Pearl Crescent

Breeze to ease
sultry days passing
too soon winter 

Cabbage White

Eastern Pondhawk

I'd like to thank my brother for his help with the identification of the butterflies and dragonflies!