Sudbury River - Saxonville to Stone Bridge + Oxbow

Thanks to recent downpours, the Sudbury River provided me with an aquatic treadmill on which I could better prepare myself for the upcoming Blackburn Challenge. There are only nine days left.
My kayak and I launched at Little Farms Road using what little riverbank was left above water. The river is at springtime levels and it is chugging at a pretty good clip. I paddled upriver against the chugging and stopped at the Saxonville gauging station which showed a level of close to 8 feet...

Continuing upriver past the gauging station I entered a shady section where the river sweeps to the right. In this section were numerous belted kingfishers and they almost seemed to be buzzing me. At one point there were 3 within my immediate vicinity. There were also a few blue herons. Emerging from the shady section, I got my first look at the Saxonville Mill buildings...

After snapping the photo, I turned around and began riding the swift current downstream. As I approached Concord Street, I pondered how much higher the river would need to get before the massive flood gates at Concord Street would need closing. The gates and this wall are critical in protecting these homes and others...

After ducking under Concord Street, I paddled into Cochituate Brook a little ways and noted there was not nearly as much current as the river. Back on the river, I passed under Danforth Street and witnessed a large group of children crossing the bridge, perhaps enroute to a summer camp event. Just before arriving back at Little Farms, I noticed that the old mile-long oxbow of the river was accessible and after entering, this view beckoned me onward...

The two ends of this loop were separated by only about 100 yards and, at some point in the past, the 100 yards between the ends were breeched allowing the river to take a short-cut. This resulted in the oxbow being isolated most of the time. Low-hanging branches blocked my progress at several points and I thought of turning back but was already hooked. Once past the obstacles I entered an enchanted section of oxbow where a large beaver colony exists. This one beaver was sitting on top of his lodge, seemingly surveying his kingdom...

Once they detected my presence, a round of tail slapping commenced which revealed that quite a few beavers were in the area. Leaving them behind, the oxbow began its sweep to the left and from under the shady right bank, near some power lines, a large owl flushed from a tree and flew about 25 yards ahead of me to another tree. As I located him with my binoculars, he left his perch and began flying directly at me. We were eye to eye when he swooped up at the last minute to avoid me. He was about the size of a red-tailed hawk. Next, there was a snake swimming across my path with his head raised about an inch above the water. Upon my approach, the snake dove under the surface and disappeared. I think it is fair to say that these animals aren't used to being disturbed by humans and they are thriving in their isolated haven.
Soon, I was re-entering the river's quick flow and finding more and more trash. In front of the portals of the Stone Bridge there was this collection of flotsam...

After collecting it, I headed to my takeout location at Little Farms Road where my day's catch posed for this photo...

My count for the day was 68 pieces of trash. Of these 54 were recyclable (21 redeemable) and 14 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam, etc. My YTD total stands at 2638
Earlier, on my way to Little Farms, I saw this fellow who appeared to be heading towards a well deserved redemption...

Assabet River - Ice House Landing to Gleasondale

As I headed upstream on the Assabet River today, I couldn't help but wonder why this section was not designated as "Wild & Scenic". It is a beautiful stretch of river and I allowed myself to be hynotized by it today.
Earlier, when I wheeled my boat to the landing I passed this granite post bearing words that proved prophetic...

I had only covered a short distance when I encountered this man-bird preparing to return to earth...

Also demonstrating some pretty good flying skill was this osprey...



Staying out of the sky today, understandably, was this family of mute swans...

Other avian performers seen today were red-winged blackbirds, eastern kingbirds, tree swallows, a belted kingfisher, goldfinches, and a few ducks.

In addition to patrolling for trash, another objective of today's trip was to find the location where the B & M Railroad's Marlboro Branch crossed the river before reaching Gleasondale. Between Ice House Landing and Gleasondale there were two river crossings. The one near Boon Pond outlet is very obvious but I had yet to see the location closer to Gleasondale. I found it to be about a half mile downstream of the Route 62 bridge and took this photo showing the remains of one abutment...

And another photo looking down the old railroad grade towards the village...

This view was hidden behind a small island and required entering a backwater to see.

Just before reaching Gleasondale, I ran into most of today's trash in this snag...

It coughed up 9 nip bottles along with 6 of the more conventional sized and a few coffee cups as well.
The snag was located just a short distance below the Route 62 bridge. The river above the bridge had plenty of fast flowing water today and after snapping this photo from under the bridge, I turned around and began my trip downriver...

The trip back to Ice House Landing was fast and smooth and upon reaching the landing my trash haul posed for a quick photo...

My total for the day was 34 pieces of trash. Of these, 22 were recyclable (3 redeemable) and 12 were misc. rubbish such as spray cans, bubblewrap, styrofoam etc. My YTD total stands at 2570.

Sudbury River - South Bridge to Weir Hill and Back

The morning after the Fourth of July can usually be counted on to be quiet and serene and this morning proved to be just that. I launched onto the Sudbury River before 5 am and paddled upriver, reaching Fairhaven Bay in time to watch the sun rise above the pines into a cloudless sky.. Brooke Island benefits from its location opposite a low spot on the eastern horizon and sees the sun a little sooner...

After having had the bay all to myself I headed further upriver and encountered a fisheman in a powerboat making the transition from engine to electric trolling motor. Beyond Lee's Bridge, water could be heard (but not seen) spilling out of Farrar Pond and into the river. Contributions from recent rainstorms have brought about springtime water levels. Where Pantry Brook enters the river the water didn't have too far to fall...
Looking to the brook's right I noticed two different types of herons in the same dead tree. Perched near the top of the tree was a small yellow-legged heron, perhaps a green heron, while a blue heron is perched to the lower right...

This is where a telephoto lens would come in handy.
At Weir Hill, the rounded-up refuse was allowed to bask briefly in the sun before being sent below deck...

The count for the day was 25 pieces of trash. Of these, 13 were recyclable (9 redeemable) and 12 were misc. rubbish such as bait tubs, plastic bags etc. My YTD total stands at 2536.
On the trip downriver, Lee's Bridge also basked in the early morning sunlight...

Only the larger of the two portals was passable today.

Assabet River - Ice House Landing to Boon Outlet

When I launched my kayak onto the Assabet River late this morning, little did I know that I wouldn't be returning to Ice House Landing by water. The weather forecast I heard before going to work mentioned thunderstorms staying to the west of Worcester. So, in a cool drizzle I began paddling upriver with hopes of making it to Gleasondale.
At the White Pond Road bridge, I encountered a small powerboat with two U.S. Fish & Wildlife employees and just upstream from the bridge, a very vocal and recently fledged hawk was letting his parents know that he was hungry. He stayed fairly close to the large nest where he'd been born in a tall white pine tree.
Trash was very light with only a few empty beer cans and a red pillow. After passing under Sudbury Road in Stow, I heard a far-off rumble of thunder and just before reaching the outlet from Lake Boon, a second rumble convinced me that turning back would be prudent. Though I was making pretty good time going downriver, the thunderstorm was moving even faster and, near the small private airfield in Stow, a flash of lightning signaled that it was time to get off the water pronto! Once ashore, I waited 35 minutes for the storm to pass, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Fortunately, I had used my portage wheels when getting my boat to the launch site earlier and had stowed them below deck.
It was equally fortunate that the Assabet River Rail Trail runs parallel to the river, so the last mile or so to Ice House Landing was completed by towing my boat along the dirt roadbed. At the White Pond Road bridge, I stopped near the entrance to the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. This large area of land used to be known as Ordway and was a government ordnance (ammunition) depot.
My trash count for the day was 9 from the river and 3 from the rail trail. Of these, 9 were recyclable (5 redeemable) and 3 were misc. rubbish. Here they are resting up on the royal pillow...

My YTD total stands at 2511.

Sudbury River - S. Bridge to Lee's Bridge and Back

Spent the middle part of today trash patrolling the Sudbury River from the South Bridge to Lee's Bridge under yet another moody sky. The air was fairly humid and when the sun would peek out for a minute or two it would start to feel almost sultry (like maybe it was summertime or something).
Providing a dash of color to the many shades of green were these goldfinches...

Martha's Point also chipped in with some yellow and purple flowers...

Other wildlife seen today were red-winged blackbirds, blue herons, Canada geese, mallards, easter kingbirds, tree swallows, and painted turtles.
At Lee's Bridge, the smaller portal proved a close shave. Almost had to take my hat off!...

Turned around after passing under Rt 117 and, for variety's sake, headed through the larger portal to start my downstream leg.
Trash today was fairly light. Heath's Bridge contributed the most and, as usual, it was left by shore fishermen. One item was a cardboard container of "Pollo Campero" which listed several Central American countries on the label.
Brooke Island had an empty Arizona Iced Tea container placed prominently on the beach. Perhaps it was an 'offering'?
I arrived at my takeout location with 26 pieces of trash. Of these 9 were recyclable (5 redeemable) and 17 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam containers, plastic bags, bait tubs, etc....

My YTD total stands at 2499.

Sudbury River - Rt. 27 to Heard Pond Outlet & Back

Some rare sunshine greeted those that got out on the river today. The launch at River Road was the busiest I've ever seen it. We all had heard that a brief window of nice weather was there for the taking. Once on the river, I headed upstream and soon started finding trash in the area of the Route 20 bridge project. The contractors have made good progress and it was good to see this rugged workboat standing at the ready...

After passing under the old Central Mass Railroad trestle, I scanned the western sky for building clouds and took in this view of Nobscot Hill...

As I approached the point where the river takes a hard right and a trail comes down from river left, numerous Heineken beer bottles, Slim Jim containers, and 'D' cell batteries were recovered. The area behind Wayland High School was free of trash and aside from one plastic bottle at Indian Point, there wasn't any additional trash until I had passed the outlet for Heard Pond and rounded up five more.
Shortly after turning around, I paddled through this shady grove...

At Indian Point two kings were in a minor dust up. An eastern kingbird and a belted kingfisher didn't seem to want to get along. However, just a little further downriver this pair seemed to be enjoying each other's company as well as the great view they had...

I believe it's a green-backed heron on the upper perch and a cormorant on the lower branch.

Enjoyed listening to an old Cream tune today and appreciated the lyrics as I had never before..."Tales Of Brave Ulysses"

by Eric Clapton and Martin Sharp

You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever,
But you rode upon a steamer to the violence of the sun.

And the colors of the sea blind your eyes with trembling mermaids,
And you touch the distant beaches with tales of brave Ulysses:
How his naked ears were tortured by the sirens sweetly singing,
For the sparkling waves are calling you to kiss their white laced lips.

And you see a girl's brown body dancing through the turquoise,
And her footprints make you follow where the sky loves the sea.
And when your fingers find her, she drowns you in her body,
Carving deep blue ripples in the tissues of your mind.

The tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers,
And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter.

Her name is Aphrodite and she rides a crimson shell,
And you know you cannot leave her for you touched the distant sands
With tales of brave Ulysses; how his naked ears were tortured
By the sirens sweetly singing.

The tiny purple fishes run lauging through your fingers,
And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter.


Also in my thoughts today was good-hearted uncle that passed away yesterday. May he have safe passage to the next stop in his journey.

Arrived back at my takeout location with 42 pieces of trash. Of these, 24 were recyclable (17 redeemable) and 18 were misc. rubbish such as a mylar balloon, plastic bags, plastic gloves, and styrofoam fast food containers. The group assembled for this photo...

My YTD total stands at 2473.

Link to Article on Nomadic Lifestyle of Native Peoples

I enjoyed reading this article by Xavier Kataquapit entitled "First Nation People are Nomads at Heart". Perhaps you will as well.