Birthday in the Marsh

Spring is said to be the best time to visit Minesing Wetlands. Since my birthday is in spring and we recently got a new canoe I thought Minesing would be a great way to spend my birthday. It was a chilly Saturday for a canoe trip, but we were prepared with warm clothes and a thermos full of tea. The cold weather seemed to keep others indoors. We had the water and birds to ourselves.

We wound back and forth up Willow Creek deep into the wetlands. It was a good opportunity for me to practice the draw stroke and wide sweeping stroke (not sure of the technical term). The water levels are low this year, which meant we had to push the canoe over a couple of small sandbanks now and then. The birds seemed to be very active. It's likely mating season for many of them.

We had a very relaxing day. Minesing is definitely on my list for next year. Next time we'll go with friends and arrange a shuttle so that we paddle the whole length of the creek. I can see this becoming a birthday tradition.