We often get questions about what goes on in the park during the winter. Thought I’d give you a few impressions of what I’ve seen in the park this week. Very early in the week there was a noticeable presence of seagulls hunting the lake. This is a promising sign and may mean good news for anglers in the upcoming fishing season. The gull activity during the time the lake is at draw down levels usually indicates a winter kill of gizzard shad. Elimination of shad in any numbers is a benefit to other species in the fishery – you know, the ones you like to catch. I haven’t been one of the lucky ones yet this winter, but we have had reports of bald eagle sightings on the lake.
Like many other areas of Indiana, we’ve been dealing with the icy aftermath of the winter storm that visited the midwest this week. The covering of ice has transformed the park and surrounding counties into a winter wonderland – beautiful, but no fun when you attempt to slide up or down one of the park’s hills. For the first time in days, we are enjoying some sunshine today. Hopefully it will melt some of the ice from the roadways and allow our sightseers and walkers to return.
Hard to believe on these cold winter days, but in a matter of just a few weeks, the first spring wildflowers will appear in the shelter of woodland areas. Earliest bloomers in this area include snow drops and aconite. I look hard for these promises that milder days will soon return and will gladly share the good news.
M. Susan Harrawood
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