Dispatch from Petrie #168, April 2026
I wanted to get to Petrie just before the flooding, arriving in the morning of April 16 it was obvious I procrastinated too long.
Tweedle Road was within inches of flooding
It was a very foggy morning. Looking west before and after the culvert and east on the culvert
The flood waters on the road were about 75-80 yards north of the culvert
Looking south, back towards the culvert
The current in the (up to) 8″waterflow was quite strong.
Good thing the ramp was chained down, Canada geese swimming next to the parking lot
The FOPI picnic area was well flooded, as was the entrances to the Turtle and Muskrat Trails
I just missed getting a photo of a beaver flapping its tail as a warning of my approaching Turtle Pond. A well camouflaged mink also escaped before I could grab a photo
The beach was a swimming pond
The red “no Swimming” flag was waving in the fog.
The bicycle/walking path from Tweedle Road into the parking area
The beavers had been at work already. Looking for a meal on some bark.
A good many birds, including ducks were around, not all co-operated for good photos. Female cardinal, one of two great blue herons, Canada Geese landing
Twenty five years ago I found my first male common mergansers at Petrie, but none were to be seen this day. However a nice selection of other ducks made up for it: buffleheads and ring-necked ducks aren’t very often seen, and goldeneyes have select locations
Somewhat closer view of male and female bufflehead
A few robins and grackles were around
A good number of red-winged blackbirds were trilling. They were not willing to sit long for photo portraits.
A lone painted turtle had come ashore. Hoping the air temperature might warm it up a bit.
The muskrats were hiding behind the brush
One lone pussy willow and a spider web encrusted flower stem from last fall
