Reaching heights in nature at the Flats

Welcome to my blog. It is time to share some of the hidden gems of life, travel and leisure at Michigan's Other Great Lakes. Thought I would begin with one of my favorite activities--birding. I could start with my own back yard, but today I had a great experience going on a birding tour with the local DNR. About 15 met at the Gazebo at the Houghton Lake Flats and what a morning. A beautiful, sunny day and we were in for quite a show. If you have never been to the flats I will try to describe it for you.

The flats are located north of M-55 in Houghton Lake between 127 and Old 27. The land was obtained through mitigation for the new highway, and is now one of 9 floodings in Roscommon Co. supervised and maintained by the DNR. Standing in the gazebo overlooking the south flooding your eyes and ears are treated to sights and sounds in all directions. After focusing on the young mute swan who is just "visiting" the flats according to Don Poppe of the DNR, we turned our attention to the osprey that left his nesting platform (one of 11 in the flats) to dine on a fish on the landing perch. No sooner than oohing and ahhing over the osprey, the sandhill cranes began their rattling call as all eyes looked south in the direction of their noise.
The waters were blue today, reflecting the white clouds and the bleached aquatic plants that are home to the nesting geese and all variety of waterfowl. I will write more on the nesting osprey at another time, but the sheer pleasure of experiencing a wetland is what I am encouraging you to come do when you get a chance. It is a pure pleasure, a learning experience and a place to build your appreciation for the wonderful natural habitat that abounds in Roscommon County. How fortunate I am that is on my way to and from work and why I am always late for work, and late for supper.