You would think that filling up the impoundments would be as simple as setting up a pump and puming until the impoundments are full. However, nature has its own opinions of what should happen. The carp (and invasive species that invades the impoundments during high water and flood conditions, sense the movement of the water and try to swim upstream. Unfortunately, they ultimately arrive near the pump, usually stranding themselves among the cat tail reeds. As a result the Fish & Wildlife staff have to wade in and pull out the dead fish, ultimately giving them a proper burial.

First you find a carp

Then you throw them into the Front End Loader

Until you have no room for more

Ultimately burying them in a mass grave
It appears that the snapping turtles aren't big fans of flooding the impoundments. This day I met three walking towards the river.

All across the refuge there are signs of the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

Straggling Monarch butterflies

One of the last dragonflies on turning foliage

Falling leaves on ferns

Milkweed pods launching their seeds
I still am in pursuit of my ideal Harrier photo - a Harrier cruising the reeds in the golden light of sunrise, looking at me, with it's distinctive tail stripe visible. It's been elusive, so I guess as long as they are hanging around, I will keep coming back.














