This time of year at the Fen is like a grand finale of kaleidoscope flowers and butterflies.  On the way out we stopped to talk teal and muskrat sightings with a hunter decked out in full camo gear and gun.  We’ve come across deer hunters in the fen before.  They’re always pleasant, but we wonder why we encounter so many hunters in a protected nature preserve, where wildlife is already few and far between.  We were glad all the critters seemed to be in hiding today!  In fact, we think the beavers and others may have moved on due to deteriorating natural (or manmade) conditions.  We can relate.