Waiting expectantly for spring to burst forth, now that the snow is gone. Freshwater marshes are non-forested, non-tidal, and have non-peat soils (unlike bogs and fens). They are most common in the Gulf Coast region, specifically in Florida. They can be either fresh water mineralized marshes, from groundwater, streams and surface runoff, or poorly mineralized fresh water marshes resulting from direct precipitation. They have their own ecosystems where the pH is usually neutral leading to an abundance of many different types of plants and wildlife. Abundant species include ducks, geese, swans, songbirds, swallows, and black ducks. Although the shallow marshes do not support many fish, deeper marshes are home to many species, including northern pike and carp. Some of the most common plants are cattails, water lilies, arrowheads, and rushes. Location is Kittery Point, ME.