Jeff Dennis, his wife Chris and Fritz the adventuring wonder dog did some kayaking recently in the Marquette Lower Harbor. Chris and her kayak in the second photo give a good perspective to the size of the decommissioned Ore Dock there. Fritz looks happy to be exploring some different waters of Lake Superior and really interested in all the birds in the fourth photo as they kayak around Ripley Rock. That’s a rock formation that sits offshore from the old Ore Dock and seems to be home to a plethora of Seagulls. Ripley Rock was named for Captain Calvin Ripley after his ship, the Fur Trader struck them in 1848.

We get a first hand look at the Ripley Rock and all the bird inhabitants there in the video Jeff recorded that day. Fritz was pretty antsy with all the birds flying and squawking as they soared overhead. He looked like he would have enjoyed jumping in the water after them a few times. I bet after all that excitement, Fritz slept most of the way back to Lake Linden.

Good morning to all. I hope you are surviving the
heat wave.In the 5th picture there is a long necked
blackbird. Does anyone know what kind of that is
bird? I saw one in a pond near me in Illinois.Have a
great and blessed day to all

That long necked bird is a Double-crested
Cormorant, which is widespread throughout
the Great Lakes area. The crest is only visible in
breeding adults, and they eat almost exclusively
fish.
What an adventurous paddle around the old ore
dock and Ripley Rocks! Looks like poor Fritz was
about ready to jump out of his skin with all those
noisy gulls out there. Also had to check a map to
see where these rocks are located. Bet they have
been struck by many ships over the years!

Awesome pictures. I can just hear fritz singing
"I've been everywhere". Don't know if he's breathed
the mountain air, but he's sure traveled and done
his share. He's been everywhere!!

I thought that was a Cormorant! Thanks Cindy for
confirming that! I've never seen one, but used to
email a gent that worked on Isle Royale, and they
had tons there!

Fritz has the most awesome life! I'm jealous! lol

Like I've said many times, Jeff, Chris and Fritz
keep us going!! WTG!

Donna, no problem on the bird ID! We saw one the
other day on the river, swimming around and diving
after some fish dinner. Their feathers are less oily
than other waterbirds, so you often see them posed
like that, drying their wings out. Apparently it makes
them really slippery underwater :)

Thank you Cindy for the info. I really appreciate it.

Hi
As usual, an interesting paddle.

We had some comorants near our place at Cheboygan. We
also used to see mergansers, who also are fish-eaters-
-as in swim underwater & catch it. They have the long
narrow bill like the cormorant.