Friedenswald Fen

More from our Camp Friedenswald getaway earlier this month. . .a favorite spot is the lookout over the fen, especially at sunrise and sunset, and enjoying the birds and other residents. We heard but did not see sandhill cranes this time, and we heard and saw redwing blackbirds.

We looked for the very rare Mitchell's satyr butterfly which can be found in this fen. It was the season for them, and staff told us that the researchers who had done a count earlier that week were delighted to spot ten. We did not see any, but this little fellow posed for us -- a northern pearly eye, from what I can see on the butterfly identification charts.

And this is the view in the other direction. We were focused on the water and birds at sunrise when we heard a slight noise behind us and turned to see the spotted back of a fawn leaping up and promptly dropping down into hiding. You can just see its ears and eyes here. Can't spot it? The close up is below. And the last photo is a couple of wood ducks out at dusk.