Click to Enlarge At Fountain Grove Conservation Area, you might be able to spot a double-crested cormorant in February, March, October and November. After diving underwater to catch fish, these birds must stretch out their wings to dry. At Mingo National Wildlife Refuge lives the elusive swamp rabbit. It leaves its scat, which is easier to find than the rabbit, on logs. If you do see a rabbit, check its ears. Swamp rabbits’ ears are rounder than cottontail rabbits’. Otters are easier to spot at dawn and dusk. Click to Enlarge A young raccoon searches for food at the base of a tupelo gum tree. You might not be able to see an animal, but you can usually find tracks. A raccoon left these tracks in the sand.   Wade into Missouri's Wonderful Wetlands! by Bonnie Chasteen and Joan McKee   Lots of adventures await in a wetland. You can put on waders and slosh around in the shallows, looking for tadpoles and water bugs. You can get a canoe or kayak and paddle around looking for beaver dens. Or you can keep your feet dry on shore and watch the birds and animals that visit. To have the most fun, match your activity to the season. Here are a few pointers. Spring Listen for birds and frogs calling for mates. Watch for baby animals out hunting with their moms—you might see muskrats, otters, beavers, foxes, raccoons, coyotes or fawns. Grab a camera and take some pictures. The best time is when the sun is low, morning or evening. Summer (be sure to wear bug repellant) Check cattails for nesting and fledgling birds. Watch bugs on the surface of the water, and wait for fish to come up for a snack. See if you can spy a giant water bug in the act of diving for a tadpole or a minnow. Go fishing or gigging. Fall Ducks and geese use Missouri’s wetlands to rest as they migrate south for the winter. This is a great time to watch waterfowl and shorebirds. Watch for beaver and muskrats gathering food for the winter. Winter After a snowfall, look for animal tracks. Watch eagles hunting for fish along big rivers and near dams. Any time of year Because wetlands are usually muddy, it is easy to spot tracks of raccoons, otters, possums or other animals that come to get a drink of water or a snack. Here are some Missouri wetlands to visit with your family or friends. Most are great places to fish. Some are refuges for duck and geese. Others allow hunting in the fall and winter and may be closed to other activities. Some allow camping and have trails and visitor centers. For information on activities on conservation areas, go to www.missouriconservation.org and click on “atlas.” Go to http://midwest.fws.gov/swanlake/ or http://www.fws.gov/midwest/SquawCreek or www.fws.gov/midwest/mingo/ to find out more about the national wildlife refuges. Rebel’s Cove Conservation Area: 4.5 miles north of Livonia on Route N in Putnam County Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge: 5 miles south of Mound City, take exit 79 off I-29, and drive 3 miles west on Hwy. 159 in Holt County Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge: 2 miles northeast of Mendon on Route CC in Chariton County Fountain Grove Conservation Area: From the junction of Hwy. 36, just south of Meadville in Linn County, take Route W for 5 miles south Ted Shanks Conservation Area: 17 miles south of Hannibal on Hwy. 79, then east on Route TT in Pike County Cooley Lake Conservation Area: 2.5 miles east of Missouri City on Hwy. 210 in Clay County Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area: From Columbia in Boone County, go south on Providence Road (Route K) past McBaine. Turn left on Star School Road. Marais Temps (say “Mary Tom”) Clair Conservation Area: From St. Charles in St. Charles County, go north on Hwy. 94. Take Hwy. H for 3 miles to Island Road. Four Rivers Conservation Area: In Vernon County, 15 miles north of Nevada on Highway 71, 1 mile east on Route TT, then 2.5 miles south on a gravel road marked with a cantilever sign Schell-Osage Conservation Area: 6 miles west of El Dorado Springs on Hwy 54, then take AA north 12 miles to Route RA and follow RA 1 mile east Springfield Conservation Nature Center: In southeast Springfield just west of Hwy. 65 off the James River Freeway (Hwy. 60). Follow signs to the center. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge: 1.5 miles north of Puxico on Highway 51 Duck Creek Conservation Area: The main entrance is 6 miles south of Zalma on Hwy. 51 in Bollinger County.