Swamps and Marshes are probably my favorite areas to go hiking. The diversity of plants, insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles is amazing. The landscape itself is just really fascinating as well. In the Indiana Dunes there are many wetland complexes accessible by trails. Much of the area used to be an extensive complex of marshes, but years of residential use has transformed them into swamps filled with non-native trees and woody plants. These areas are currently undergoing extensive restoration efforts and as a result when you hike the area today you get to experience a wide variety of conditions. The different trails throughout the park allow for perspectives ranging from aerial views from neighboring ridge lines, to elevated boardwalks and abandoned roads passing through the hearts of these wetlands. It just never gets boring, no matter how many times I return to the same areas.
This view of the Great Marsh was taken from the Dune Ridge trail in the IDNP. It covers almost the entire length of an abandoned portion of Beverly Dr. which snaked through the middle of what was once a residential area that is now in the process of being restored to a more natural state. In order to capture the entire expanse of the marsh I stitched together a panorama of 6 photos.With all of its wetlands the Indiana Dunes area a great location to observe the seasonal bird migrations. I enjoyed watching this flock hop from one location to another in the Great Marsh. This part of the marsh is further along in its restoration than the rest of the area and is now more properly a marsh full of sedges and grasses as opposed to a swamp.Here we see a more swamp like area of the park, where woody shrubs and trees dominate. This photograph was taken along the #2 trail in the Indiana Dunes State Park. One of my favorite trails because it contains two elevated boardwalks which allow access to the interior of the wetland.This oily sheen sitting atop the water is a common sight throughout the swamps and marshes in the area. Given the close proximity to heavy industry, including steel mills and power plants, I first thought it was pollution, petroleum leaching into the ground water. Turns out that this is a natural, and ecologically healthy bacteria.One of my photographic interests is looking for images which capture how the swamp would appear from the perspective of a reptile or amphibian living there. Which is not easy to do without donning hip waders and then tromping through a fragile ecosystem. But you can find such vantage points if you spend enough time looking. I imagine this is what it must look like for a frog perched on a log…… and this is what a duck might see…… and then you have the slightly more elevated view of a swan.
2 responses
Turns out that this is a natural, and ecologically healthy bacteria? Regard Ilmu Komunikasi
The bacteria is one that breaks down iron in the water, which is good for the ecosystem. Though the presence of iron can be natural, in this case I suspect that proximity to steel mills is the source. Best, Mark
Turns out that this is a natural, and ecologically healthy bacteria? Regard Ilmu Komunikasi
The bacteria is one that breaks down iron in the water, which is good for the ecosystem. Though the presence of iron can be natural, in this case I suspect that proximity to steel mills is the source. Best, Mark