My Name is Merle's photostream  

What you are looking at is a dock/platform almost completely submerged in water. The flooding here was so unbelievable. I've marked with a box where the water line is - and you'll understand why that enormous tree fell over.

It was more sad today, driving through DeSoto, than it was last time. I took more time to get up close to the damage, and it's just stunning.

Below is a shot of this same area from 2007 - much better days back then.

Paul and I headed over to DeSoto Bend again today, hoping to see Bald Eagles and other various critters. On the way, I spotted a Bald Eagle overlooking the Missouri on a tree limb. Rather than turning back, we continued to DeSoto. So watching for them as we re-entered Nebraska, I saw two on a limb over the river so Paul graciously pulled over. They were flying over the river by the time I got out of the car, but the eagle I originally saw was still on the branch. So I trespassed and got close enough to get a semi-good shot. I thought I had scared him off the branch, but he came back with this fish and proceeded to feed.

Not sure if it's the lens or me or a combo of both, but I'd surely like to get a better shot! But this will have to do for now. We'll have to keep checking out the river since DeSoto was a bust.

From DeSoto Bend on Saturday. The demarcation lines from the flood are difficult to see; but the debris left behind is scattered all around. These trees will more than likely die.

DeSoto Bend was re-opened this past week so Paul and I decided to go check it out. It had been a long time since we'd been there, and it was pretty desolate. It frankly looks like a war zone. There was very little wildlife - some deer, turkeys, ducks and eagles. But no birds, squirrels, or small animals running around. Lots of damage - acres of wasteland from flooding.

But this Spring will sure be interesting. I can't wait to see what wildlife returns, what plant life sprouts up, and just how recovery will unfold.

This shot was taken from the road - about 500-600 feet away. Not the best shot, but I got to see it for real. :)

Paul and I went to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge today for the first time. Didn't get a lot of good shots - birds were high (eagles and hawks) or non-existent (except for ducks and snow geese). There were some Trumpeter Swans, but of course we couldn't get close enough for a good shot.

This makes me feel like I'm in Grand Island during the Sandhill Crane migration! Hundreds of thousands of Snow Geese migrate through there during March and April. To see all these here today was pretty amazing. There's a couple pelicans in the mix, but I challenge you to find them. :)