Canada Geese (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
Yesterday was relatively warm and sunny so after work I stopped for a bit at a local wildlife refuge. Throughout much of the year this area hosts a wide variety of waterfowl, songbirds, Sandhill Cranes and sometimes even Whooping Cranes. This midwinter day didn’t yield anything that exciting, but there were some interesting things to see.
Shoreline photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
The shorelines here were lined with cattails (Typha sp., Typhaceae), common wetland plants across the northern hemisphere. In spite of the winter wind and cold many of the dried seed heads were still standing.
Cattail (Typha sp., Typhaceae) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
A little farther from the water were quite a few teasels (Dipsacus sp., Dipsacaceae), invasive species introduced to North America from Eurasia and Africa. These tall plants have large, spiked seed heads that persist through the winter and can be seen along roadways in many areas.
Teasel (Dipsacus sp., Dipsacaceae) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
Goldenrods (Solidago spp., Asteraceae) are most obvious in late summer and early autumn when their small but numerous yellow flowers decorate many fields and meadows. After pollination by insects the flowers develop into tufted seeds that are spread by the wind. It can take months for all of the seeds to be blown free, leaving many still clinging to the plants well into winter.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp., Asteraceae) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
The only wildlife I saw on this walk were a few dozen Canada Geese (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis). There was some open water on this otherwise frozen pond, allowing a few of these geese to paddle around. The rest just seemed to be waiting for the ice to melt.
Canada Geese (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
Before long flocks like this will break up as mating pairs venture off to establish territories, build nests, and raise their young for the year.
Canada Geese (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) photographed 01/29/2016 at the USFWS Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area near Clayton, Michigan.
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