Exner July 22th

Exner Marsh lies between Lakewood and Miller Roads southwest of Crystal Lake. I grew up a couple miles from this site, rode horses through fields that are now covered with houses, but I was unaware of this marsh which now lies between housing developments. It is an oasis for waterfowl and we were lucky enough to catch site of a pair of white swans and one offspring. I do not know if they were Trumpeter Swans or Mute Swans (a pair of binoculars would have been handy), but a beautiful surprise just the same. The day was misty blue and smelled of rain as cattails swayed in unison to a southwesterly wind.