At Bay

 This morning, for lack of anything else to do, I headed out to Mitchell's Bay for a look.  No ice this winter, which is certainly not good for the local economy.  Ice fishing and related activities is a big deal out there in winter.  There was a bit of ice earlier in the year, but it did not last.  Usually there should still be some thick ice on the 'Bay'.

Here is a photo from late March, 2019.  Still come ice!

I remember in the "old" days, we used to go out to the Bay for skating.  The ice was thick, and one could even drive the car out onto the ice and find a place to park!

Times have changed.

Today, I was happy to see lots of ducks, since there has been nothing on the St. Clair River this winter.  Canvasback was the most dominant duck, numbering several thousand.  When there is no ice on the lakes, they hang out there!

There were lots of scaup as well, but they were mostly farther out.

There were other species mixed in, but the only puddle ducks were a few American Wigeon, Mallard and Black.

The most notable duck today, a bit too distant for a photo, was a male Redhead X Ring-necked Duck.  Of course, I am familiar with that one from the St. Clair River.  Perhaps it is the same one I saw earlier this winter at Sombra!  One can only dream.

There were not a lot of geese and swans, but I did not see anything other than the usual common ones.

Yesterday was a nice day, but very windy and cold.  I had the urge to take a look at Hillman Marsh, so I went for the long walk around the dike.  There was a lot to look at but no rarities stood out.

Lots of Ring-necked Ducks there, which even tripped the eBird filter.

Some Trumpeter Swans were there, as expected.

A few gulls were around, but not many (they are all at Wheatley Harbour!).  The only standout was a single Bonaparte's.  Some fresh Ring-billed Gulls were waiting it out on the ice.

On to yet another day.....

Sunset over Walpole Island February 25, 2023