float your troubles away

The day after our mini-vacation was Mothers Day. Brad asked if I wanted to go kayaking at Mirror Lake. It is our go to place and everything about the location fits us just right. He did not have to ask me twice!! I am always usually game for an adventure. Spending more quiet time together by/on the water would be perfect. The kids joined us for supper later on.

Last Spring we were kayak-less and had never experienced Mirror Lake in the Spring. The quietest time to be on the water any time of year is in the morning. Before yakity kayak yakers arrive.

heading out on the narrows

reflecting

sooo quiet you can hear yourself think

water was very clear with lotsa fishies

baby season

A couple kayakers were paddling the distant stream. Causing nesting parents to have a fit. The honkers were LOUD! We decided not to kayak any further and add to the poor parents stress.

cranes on distant shore

a larger floating flock of geese

We usually spot an eagle hunting the larger open water areas. We stopped paddling and watched an adult baldy fly closer and land on a tree. He took off again and circled above. If you watch the video you will see what (almost) happened. Yikes!

(48 secs)

We both enjoy paddling calm waterways best, with visual interest. It is very relaxing, thought provoking and puts everything into perspective.

As long as we are talking about floating our troubles away, our second kayak outing happened last weekend on Fathers Day. When we headed out, it was very lightly misting and cool. The majority of the time we had the water blissfully to ourselves.

the lake really is a mirror

we were in awe of the crystal clear reflections and solitude

It is hard to show height. The DNR website says the tall rocky layered banks are "50 feet tall cliffs".

(22 secs)

made me look twice

it sounded like an aviary

connecting with any type of water is so gratifying

We were surprised how low the lake was on this outing. Already. We've had a good amount of rain at home. Perhaps this area didn't get much.

There was nothing to do but laugh when we paddled out of the narrows, into the open. The water was SO thick with vegetation our kayaks did not move. We sat there for a while, taking in the view.

One by one the visitors arrived. They landed all over everything, including us. Not a fan of bugs in my hair. My hat solved that.

not a dragonfly

When I got home I looked up what I thought were dragonflies. My friend Google says they are Eastern Forktail damselfly. Friendly little fellas.

baldy was not having much luck fishing

sooo many hitchhikers!

We counted the damselfly's and laughed the whole way back to shore. We went from double digit hitchhikers, to two, to none. The winged wonders flew off when they were ready.

The other entertaining sight on this outing were the zig zagging water bugs. They were white, not the long legged scooting water bugs. 

water bugs (10 secs)

sound up to hear "the aviary"

all smiles

Each kayak outing is a different experience. Even at the same waterway. It is ever changing and so interesting observing how nature changes!!