Driving snow-covered roads to a job this morning, the last thing I envisioned was getting in an afternoon paddle on the Concord River. But then around noontime the sun began to emerge and I heard the alarm that an early spring afternoon might be in the making. I raced home, grabbed my musket...I mean kayak, and headed out the door.
Made it to the Old North Bridge (at left) in a jiffy and found sections of blue sky overhead.
The first redcoat was encountered about a half mile below the bridge...
Actually I heard his distinctive call before laying eyes upon him. I can't tell you how good it feels to hear that sound for the first time each spring.
He and his kind were keeping good company with hooded mergansers...
...Canada geese and wood ducks...
The paddling portion of my march had begun near Egg Rock and its icy inscription...
...and brought me about 3 miles down river to the end of open water near Davis Hill...
The view is looking to the north where Old Man Winter disappeared last night after flipping us all the bird so to speak. Hopefully he'll get some therapy during the off-season.
On my way back upriver the sun gained even more sky, and temperatures may have touched a balmy 40 degrees F. The first full day of spring, after getting off to a rough start, had battled back to seize the afternoon.
Before passing under Flint's Bridge (Monument Street), I paused and marveled at my good fortune...
Along the way a better home was found for these castaways...
2 comments:
Glad you are back in action, always love the read. Red winged black bird, my favorite.
Thanks George. The red-wings sure are a welcome sight and sound! Never more so than this year.
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