Annisquam River - Dunfudgin to Wigwam Point & Back

After 2 weeks of providing day shift coverage at a seafood processing plant, I thought it only appropriate to kick-off the 2011 trashpaddling season with a salt water patrol.  Of course, the fact that most of my local freshwater rivers are choked with ice had a little to do with this decision.  After launching at Dunfudgin Landing in Gloucester, I closed my eyes and drank-in the salt air, warm breeze, and cries of seagulls.  Was this just a pleasant dream?  When I opened my eyes again and looked upriver to the north (photo at left), I realized that someway, somehow, the spell had been broken and a spectacular day had been sent my way.  My 11am launching had me riding an outgoing tide as I headed towards Ipswich Bay.  Along the way, I encountered numerous sea and bay ducks such as buffleheads, long-tailed ducks (formerly known as oldsquaws),  and common eiders.  The long-tailed ducks were the most vocal of the bunch.  This one allowed me to get close enough for a photo...

    Also encountered along the way was this fellow boater...

He was also looking for ducks.  Black ducks and mallards were his prey.  He said he didn't hunt the sea ducks as he felt they were best enjoyed with the eyes.  His set-up looked to be perfect for getting him into the marshy areas unseen.  Once in shallow water, his engine was cut-off and tilted and he sculled his boat along with a small oar that protruded out the boat's stern.  Regretfully I didn't get his name as he was most helpful in identifying some of the ducks I'd seen.
Beyond a small point of land with cedar trees, I came upon the remains of what may have been a houseboat...

I think it might be the same houseboat I photographed last March in my "Annisquam River was the Antidote" post.  Sad to see it in this state.
It was also in the "Annisquam River was the Antidote" post that I first encountered "Lucky" the seagull and sure enough, here he was again directing river traffic from his very lucky abode...

After the lobster boat passed, I was instructed to wait until this large group of common eider ducks crossed the channel...

I then headed a little ways past Annisquam Light and looked out upon a very flat Ipswich Bay.  When I turned around and began the trip back, I could see kids sledding down a snow-covered slope behind Wigwam Point while, across the river, other folks were enjoying a New Year's Day walk on Wingaersheek Beach.
My trip back was pleasant and included a brief beaching where a lunch of PB and J was enjoyed.  My choice of beverage was influenced by PenobscotPaddles recent post  "Ginger Season".  I went with the Goslings ginger beer and it complimented the meal nicely!
All too soon, I found myself back at Dunfudgin Landing and my modest trash haul and I disembarked.  The first trash haul of 2011 paused long enough for me to get a quick photo...

There were 19 pieces of trash: 6 recyclable containers (3 redeemable) and 13 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, and aluminum foil.  YTD total stands at 19.
So, 2011 got off to a great start in my opinion.  Maybe today's respite from winter weather bodes well for the year ahead.  Could this be the year the Massachusetts bottle bill is finally expanded to cover non-carbonated beverages?  I sure hope so.  I also hope the economy finally gets back on solid ground.
Throw in with that a paddling/camping trip up north and possibly linking-up with Erik of "Open Boat, Moving Water" for a joint trash patrol.  Erik uses a combination of video and narration on his blog to take folks along with him as he paddles and poles numerous waterways in Rhode Island.