Kip’s Comments - June 27, 2026

Seen Today -

For a few hours today I was blessed with time to be out on the water looking around with my camera. I explored several areas and was treated to a number of interesting compositions. Some need an explanation, others do not.

A good friend reached out to let me know pelicans were still at Sweet Marsh. This seems very late for any pelicans to be there and certainly not the dozens that I observed. Notice how pale their colors were.

American White Pelicans - Image 1114972

American White Pelicans - Image 1114921

Not far from the pelicans I saw a pied-billed grebe swimming. As I moved closer I noticed three little grebes following her. Today was the first time I have seen young pied-billed grebes.

Pied-billed Grebe with Young 1115864

Pied-billed Grebe with Young 1115869

While paddling my canoe around the birds and cattails I photographed a couple of views of fragrant water lilies.

Fragrant Water Lily - Image 1115391

Fragrant Water Lily and Water Smartweed - Image 1115489

Another aquatic plant in the same area was the American bladderwort.

American Bladderwort - Image 1114904

At another paddling location I saw birds and interesting fungi.

Prothonotary Warbler - Image 1116215

Eastern Warbling Vireo - Image 1115266

Chocolate Tube Slime - Image 1115179

Jelly Ear Fungi - Image 1115626

Jelly Ear Fungi - Image 1115748

Other plants photographed today were daisy fleabanes and so much duckweed around my canoe. In that duckweed were bullfrogs.

Daisy Fleabane - Image 1115253

Canoeing at Sweet Marsh - Image 1115039

Bullfrog - Image 1115020

Those few hours on the water were the best hours of the day. I am thankful for them!