"Out & About" Photo Blog: 2nd Marsh -- July 11th, 2013

Though there's a difference of opinion as to whether birds actually get drunk from eating fermented berries or just act like they're drunk from eating too many, I'll go with the drunk theory.

It was about this time last year that I came across some drunk ones in the marsh and I saw more today at the same spot.

A bunch of drunks. The bar must be nearby.

They sit down or sprawl out, wings a-kilter, waiting til you're within a few feet before they reluctantly fly off... seemingly in fine shape though.

I got a kick out of this guy's comments...
It always starts the same way. One robin finds a bush full of bad berries to feed on and ends up getting a little silly. Then a few of his friends join in and soon you have a whole flock walking around on the ground too drunk to fly. Next you hear lots of loud singing, with words that you can hardly understand. Then usually an argument breaks out over who found the biggest worm last summer or has the reddest breast. Finally, two robins end up in an all-out fight, while all the others just roll their eyes and think, "Rookies, can't hold their berries."
Source: http://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/berries.htm

This one looks like it's injured, but it too flew off once I was within a few feet. Their flying looked normal, none of them crashed into trees.

With all our rain, growth is lush everywhere in the marsh.

The beaver pond is covered in cattails, with some trying to grow through the boardwalk.

For the volunteers who repair the boardwalk through Ghost Road bush, it's a never ending battle. In the wetter areas, moss is the first sign that nature is trying to take back her own. The boardwalk is through a swampy area after all.

Most of the boardwalk is in pretty good shape but the usual signs of deterioration are starting to show.

Tall Meadow Rue

The vernal pools have pretty much dried up now but there are still a few areas that offer some nice reflections.

A pair of Ebony Jewel-wing Damselflies.

Fringed Loosestrife-- with its upside-down blossoms.

Wild Parsnip is everywhere... obviously popular with the ants.

One of nature's bouquets.

White Sweet Clover has invaded the marsh this year. There was very little last year by comparison. It lines the berm for 100s of yards. It's fascinating to me how quickly things can change in nature. She never ceases to surprise.

First there was one, now there are two... turtle-nest protective covers. No sign of turtles though. In fact there are now a total of five covers along the berm. Two or three of them look like they've been tampered with, whether by humans or animals, it's hard to say.

There's lots of Field Bindweed in the marsh now.

Update: Bull Thistle... Thanks John.

Growth gone crazy. The last half-mile of the berm (at the lake end) is completely overgrown. The 'path' is only shoulder-wide. You almost need a machete. I haven't seen anything like it in the few years I've been visiting the marsh. The birds are loving it.

When I got to the lake it was just me, some swans & geese and a few gulls.

Milkweed on the beach... almost looks like someone planted it.

Some of the blossoms have a yellow tinge... from the sandy soil?

Further away from the lake they are the more usual pink tones.

One of my favourites... Chicory. Pioneers made a coffee-like drink from the roots.

Red-seeded Dandelion can easily be 3 or 4 feet tall.

Land Snail

Not sure what this is but he's kinda pretty. A moth of some sort?
Update: It's a Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly... Thanks Peter.

Update: Burdock... Thanks John.

Honeysuckle Berries brighten the landscape.

From the GM platform. The main marsh is thick with water plants.

The fire of last year is just a memory now.

Credit where credit is due. Corporations get a lot of flack these days but they provide a living for many of us, and they do contribute to their communities.