Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Assabet River - Egg Rock to Pine Street & Back


The Assabet River proved to be an ideal location to drink in the midsummer like warmth during an afternoon trash patrol to Pine Street and back. After launching near Egg Rock I approached the Leaning Hemlocks and watched as a red-tailed hawk swooped down on a group of wood ducks. Fortunately for the ducks, the hawk came up empty taloned.
Shortly after the hemlocks, this muscovy duck crossed my bow (perhaps looking for a handout?)...


Upon reaching Willow Island I was greeted by a nice breeze out of the southwest. Wildlife was very active along the river. I saw 2 small herons that I believe were green herons. Also seen were great blue herons,red-winged blackbirds, cardinals, robins, small woodpeckers, mallards, Canada geese, musquash, beaver, a woodchuck and, finally, these three deer...

I believe it was a doe and her two yearlings. They were all very curious and the doe came a little closer while slowly stomping one of her front legs to the ground...

Then she turned sideways...

I began to pull back and was startled when an equally startled beaver tail-slapped the water about 3 feet from my boat. Oddly, the loud tail-slap had no effect on the deer. They just went about their business. This encounter occurred in a backwater located between Route 2 and the mouth of Nashoba Brook.
After passing under the Pine Street bridge, I turned around and let the breeze and current swiftly return me to my takeout location. My trash count for the day was 38.
Of these, 18 were recyclable and 20 were miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam, and a hanging plant pot. They all posed near the river...

My YTD total stands at 1577.

1 comment:

Lis said...

I love the deer pics!