A few weeks around Wayne County

Various explorations, notes, and photos from the past few weeks.

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Shreve Lake

When was the last time you were out to Shreve Lake? Never? When it still had water? Recently?
For me, it's been many many years, and once they drained the lake (due to a breeching dam issue) I passed on it all together. Upon reading the news that there is finally the funding - and it is a priority - to fix the issue and allow the lake to fill back up, I had to get out there for some 'before' photos although they're not going to start work until 2021. Even though it's winter, you can see how the plantlife has reclaimed the muddy former bottom of the lake, and a stand of trees are growing just beyond the dock - also docks on dry land just look so sad. 
Since the draining, there have been reports of it becoming a great birding spot - I myself have seen a bald eagle flying overhead when driving by last year. 
I may have to visit this spot more often to observe just how the area changes while dried up (through the seasons) and compare it in years to come with when filled. 
​Stay tuned!

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Wilderness Rd

Hoping for the sound of sandhill cranes I ventured down W.Rd. the recent rains/snow/ice left clayplant underwater - the blue herons were pretty happy. Further down W. four bald eagles were out in a field, the Canada geese flew down in a cloud of sound. No Sandys this day.

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Brown's Lake Bog

Have you been recently? I hate to admit, I have not. What a great surprise though, upon arrival there's a new sign - informational kiosks - and yours truly has their name and photos on said kiosks!! :D 
It was a nice trek out except for the few yokels up on the kame shouting and carrying on. Out on the floating sphagnum mat there has been quite a bit of work done removing the poison sumac and beating back the plant succession. Every few years this is done, and every following growing season the plants unique to the bog take full advantage of the extra sun! 
Thank you The Nature Conservancy and all the volunteers!!

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Force Rd

Cold, dark, cloudy days don't seem like they'd be good for going outdoors, but for dynamic clouds and emotional scenes they're the best! 
Out exploring and still looking for those cranes we end at the dead end of Force Rd. Some large machines sit to the side and a raised platform covers the old iron bridge (it's iron right?). The path continues on, where it had been overgrown and ended (this is not an admission to past explorations). What is happening? I can't be sure. But my sense point to creating a birder friendly area... We'll have to wait and see.

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Johnson Woods

What do two naturalists who have no plans do on a crisp, sunny, weekday? Go explore of corse! 
Johnson Woods, being such a treasure as one of the remaining old growth forests in the area, is one of my favorite winter spots - without the leaves, the true magnitude of these trees is amplified, one becomes humbled in the presence of such giants who have seen this country founded.