March 20th, 2010: Sweet Home Wisconsin

It was my first weekend in Wisconsin, of what will be many to come. I decided to head out to Mirror Lake State Park, and it was the best decision I’ve made all week.

Mirror Lake is located near my new home at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Although the weather was a bit chilly this morning, the windy was calm, and the lake did indeed look like a Mirror. I stood near the shore at a boat landing. Several waterfowl species broke the glassy mirror of the lake with their paddling, and I managed to get great scope views of 6 species of waterfowl. The highlight was 14 Ring-necked Ducks, all of them bright males except for 2 females. Two brilliant male Buffleheads bobbed in and out of the lake as well. Four Sandhill Cranes circled the lake in the angled morning light, and two settled down near the shoreline. I watched the two that landed preening in unison, making me think they were pair bonding.

Like an idiot I forgot my camera, but I’ll probably throw in a photo of the lake here once I get back. Which will be soon.

I spent the rest of the morning exploring the area around Lake Delton (passing by the upside-down White House in Wisconsin Dells, as well as innumerable water parks, go-cart tracks and one deer park). I added Wood Duck to my Wisconsin list, and I could hear the bugles of Sandhill Cranes almost every time I got out of my car. All in all a very delightful morning. I am so happy that I get to spend my summer in this incredible region.

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