A Ramble Through a Fen, Take 2

Last April Dr. M & I visited a local fen* & vowed that we would go back every month to see all the changes each season brings. Well, yesterday we finally returned. I guess we missed out on the every month thing, didn't we? Yesterday was sunny and sort of approaching warmth, but once we got on the trail it was really breezy & I discovered that 43 degrees in the shade feels very different that 43 degrees in the sun. But it was nice to do a little bit of outdoor walking. Would you like to join us?

The entrance looks very inviting, doesn't it?

As we approached the walk I decided to read the signs.

Hmm - this seems somewhat ominous. But we press on.

OK, yes, there is some flooding. But it only went over the top of my boots, so we decided to persevere.

 And quickly saw evidence of the beavers' handiwork.

Ah, here is where we believe the culprits live!

But I found the watery milieu beautiful in its on way.

But then we encountered an obstacle that could have perhaps been overcome by hip waders (or excellent balance on slippery boards).

So we turned back and paid attention to the ice that was still a thin layer on the water. Dr. M said it felt like being inside a chilled margarita glass. Hmm - I wonder how he knows what the inside of a margarita glass feels like?

As we left we decided that this year we really will go back again every month. Really! So keep your eye out for a March post.

*Fen: n. A fen is a type of wetland fed by surface water, or groundwater, or both. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline. Fens are different from bogs, which are acidic, fed primarily by rainwater (ombrotrophic) and often dominated by Sphagnum mosses.[1] [From Wikipedia]