The Ottawa River was still in flood stage, but I thought it might be worth a visit to Mud Lake.
The entrance to the trail was fine, but it didn't take long to find some of many access issues due to the flooding
The observation deck was inviting, but you needed tall rubber boots to reach it
The NCC, with their work of a few years ago, had done a great job in placing the boardwalks. But very shortly after the second boardwalk, it was VERY wet. They could have built a new there too, but budget money only goes so far.
Three male turkeys (likely young ones) were very noisily walking along the trail
Meanwhile another male was busy trying to court a young female. As you will see in the video she was not interested (I can't take stills and videos at the same time)
The wattle under the turkey's chin changes from rosy to full red (and vice versa) very quickly
The chickadees and nuthatches were missing their handouts with fewer visitors. They were quite insistent
The wood ducks were looking for cracked corn and a discussion was had with a squirrel as to whose corn it was...
Another wood duck was more interested in preening
A scruffy looking goldfinch singing in a tree
A downy woodpecker hard at work digging a hole, his mate came along to inspect. Perhaps he has a long way to go building a nest hole?
A mallard taking a break sitting on the trail
I had to smile when I got home and found this, slightly out of focus, blackburian warbler staring me down
White -throated sparrows and a male cardinal sharing some peanuts
The spot where a goose had laid eggs already was certainly flooded out.
Scilla, both white and blue, was blooming
The trout lily buds were almost open
Various shrubs, bushes etc were in bud/emerging leaf:
honeysuckle, red maple, chokecherry, chokecherry or shadbush(?), serviceberry, elderberry
A few squirrels were hoping for food as well
A cottontail rabbit was more shy
It was dull grey day, but the pines still reflected nicely in the still water
