Left off at the pond outlet where an old concrete wall was constructed between the pond and a canal feeding a once cranberry farm. Cranberry is grown in acidic wetlands.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry ...............................................................................................................SWAN POND 😊😊 1st part https://steemit.com/nature/@manorvillemike/swan-pond-1st-part
Lets paddle on in our Kayak, we're only less that half way around the perimeter of the 57 acre pond.
The pond averages about six feet deep according to the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) charts but even with all the rain we had that brought the level up, you could stand in most places and still have your head above water.
Can you see the turtle just at the surface with it's head above the water? Hard to see with the reflections.
Pond is full of wildlife. Many turtles. You will only see their little heads sticking up above the calm open water. They dive away before you can get close enough for a picture. The "Painted Turtle" is the one you see the most. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_turtle
We are at the far side looking back across the pond where I launched the kayak. On this side there is open water free of Water lily pads.
There are 70 some species of Water Lilies in both tropical and temperate climates. There are quite a few right here in this little pond. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeaceae
Only a pair of swans having the pond, named after them, to themselves. You would think there would be many more swans here. Plenty of food and Privacy. The reason most likely is interference by the DEC. Mute swans, Cygnus olor, are a non-native, invasive species who's population is contained by State and Federal agencies. They use to just outright kill some off each year. Now they destroy the eggs in the nests by jabbing them with thin rods.
I'll do a post on these beautiful white graceful birds to tell their whole story.
Big guy showing me his flipper
Gee we haven't got far and this post is getting long. Lots more to see, please hang in there. 😉
As I was watching the swans some Geese in the sky were honking as they circled the pond. Took a quick video. Came out fuzzy but thought I would include it. I ended the video abruptly as they flew right over my head. Didn't know if I was a target or not. 😒 Could have got them landing just behind me....
Continuing on in open water. Must be deeper here, Water lilies only grow in shallow water.
Coming up to some logs. Where there are logs there should be turtles sunning themselves.
Look close, there are 3 on the log
Heading back to the launch site I encounter what looks like an endless ocean of small lily-pads.
The kayak glided over the pads with little resistance. The stems on the pads being small let the paddles do their work....
Thanks for putting up with this long post.. hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
camera ... Nikon CoolPix W100 ...waterproof to 30 feet .. just don't try it 😎