The mink and deer were absent this year. We did see a muskrat chasing an otter. And, instead of seeing just one eagle, we saw two. We spotted a female eagle sitting on a pine branch and arrived in time to see her mate fly to her branch and then immediately begin to scold us. Kingfishers were abundant and we saw several herons.

We usually see a variety of colorful wildflowers along the shoreline. We were too late for most of them this year. Milkweed flowers were long gone and now, their pods were mature and beginning to open preparing to release their seeds and silky parachutes. And there were a few purple asters.

We saw two fly fishermen wading the river. They were having a great day but said they were challenged by the high water. We also encountered two fly fishermen being guided in classic Au Sable river boats. These long, narrow, flat-bottomed boats float downstream with the guide using oars in the rear of the boat to direct it. There is also a heavy chain that is dragged to help slow down the movement of the boat downstream. All were fully dressed in the obligatory Eddie Bauer fly fishing uniform. No levis and tennis shoes here. Even the boat riders were wearing dry suits that would enable them to leap in the water to go after their fish.