Two habitats are featured in the Great Lakes Aquarium aviary: Pictured Rocks and Kakagon Slough. These habitats are found along the southern shore of Lake Superior.

Wind swept rock formations provide dramatic scenery and a unique habitat. Here you will find shorebirds racing on the sand, turtles basking in the morning sunlight and several species of heron perched high above it all.

• For more information on this national treasure visit: www.nps.gov/piro

A slough is a wetland through which water moves slowly. Kakagon Slough is a wetland located in Chequamegon Bay, near Ashland, WI. This is one of the most important wetlands left on Lake Superior's shoreline. These extensive coastal marshes provide nutrient rich areas for spawning and wildlife habitat. These areas also produce wild rice, which is culturally significant to the Anishinabeg who developed ecologically friendly harvesting methods.

Here you may meet a variety of wetland bird species such as common goldeneye and wood duck. In addition to providing nutrients, wetlands act as sponges for floodwaters and serve as filters that trap excessive pollutants.