Photographer: Haolun Tian

Location: Bay of Quinte, Eastern Ontario, Ont./Ont.

Marshlands are nature’s filter, and are integral parts of lake ecosystems. They help moderate water levels, filter pollutants and excess nutrients, and provide valuable habitat for fish fry and other smaller organisms. I took this photo in spring of 2024, when the ice was still melting at the Bay of Quinte, near Presqu’ile Provincial Park. This area has very high plant biodiversity from the heterogeneous combination of sand dunes, marshes, and forest cover. Raised patches of marsh like the figure depicted in this photo are characteristic of Presqu’ile, showing sand ridges under the water.