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Raymond's Gut open waterWe have just been through some snow here on the Crystal Coast.  The low temperatures that brought us the snow also brought us ice on many of our waterways.

The morning after the big storm I was doing my normal morning survey of our homestead when I noticed a strange area of open water.

It looked like a skiff had started down Raymond's Gut towards our home.  However the straight edges made me suspicious. I really doubted that you could back a skiff up without breaking more ice.

I walked over to our clubhouse where I could see the water leading to the White Oak River.  It was pretty obvious that no boat had come in from the river.

I sent the picture to one of my college roommates who suggested that I should check on my crop circles.  On closer examination I could see splash patterns that looked remarkably like water that would fly out onto the ice if ducks were using this as a runway.

It just so happened that I had noticed some Mergansers in the water behind the house before the snow.  I started wondering if their swimming had kept the water open.

This afternoon after the ice had mostly melted, I saw the Mergansers swimming in the same area.

I am pretty sure they are responsible for the open water.

I guess we all had to make some adjustments since this is the first snow in six years for the Crystal Coast.