Why not enjoy a weekend by collecting some folks that like to explore and take a walk on a lake shore fen. In Northeastern Minnesota, this location might be referred to as a lakeshore, wetland, floating bog, marsh, swamp, or peatland. Each of those labels or others could more accurately be determined by identifying the plants growing there, testing the waters acidity in at various locations, and examining various locations around the lake.
Knowing the water levels, flow, acidity and plants suggest that this area is not as acidic as a bog but more acidic than a marsh. Even more specifically, the area explored seemed to fit the characteristics of a “rich fen” as opposed to a “poor fen”.
The sphagnum and sedges and leatherleaf that comprised most of the surface made walking slow and balance challenging. Everything growing there is interesting and specialized for life in the existing conditions. Traveling slow with several people enabled location and identification of plants and animals. The cool breeze and proper preparation made the day perfect conditions free of heat and biting insects.
