I launched this morning at 5:30 and paddled upstream on the Sudbury River through a low lying fog that shrouded the water's surface. It was like being in another world as my boat and I glided through the wispy mist. There was no wind to speak of, temperatures were ideal, and with some ethereal music emanating from my earbuds, I could not have been in a happier place.
Reaching the Sudbury Road bridge, I recovered some shore-fishermen generated trash on the river right. A couple of empty bait tubs and 2 crude fishing reels consisting of plastic bottles with about 50' of fishing line attached to them. Just upstream of the bridge were a few beer cans.
I reached Fairhaven Bay in time to watch the sun rise on the eastern horizon where the shoreline is lowest. A lone mute swan was in the middle of the bay. Crossing the bay, I observed a new swath has been cut down the hillside on the bay's west shore. Another upscale homeowner decided he/she needed an unfettered view of the bay. I am not at all surprised that of all the houses near the bay, the one that best blends in with the surroudings is the most modest. On the bay's north end is a small red house whose owners have resisted the temptation to cut a swath. Soon enough, the diciduous trees will drop their leaves anyways and the swaths will look rather silly.
At the south entrance to the bay, I spotted a small heron scurry into the underbrush. Blue herons, as usual, were standing sentinel at regular intervals.
Continuing upriver after leaving Fairhaven Bay, I began to notice a sudsy foam on the river's surface. This foam was coming out of Pantry Brook. Didn't notice any suds when I was at this spot last Wednesday.
Reaching Weir Hill, I landed there and took a short refueling break. The sun began to disappear as clouds spread across the sky. Still there was no wind. Heading back downriver, I saw a large group of red-winged blackbirds and it seemed their red wing patches were much duller than they were in springtime. Between Weir Hill and Fairhaven, there were 6 boats, each containing 2 fishermen looking to hook some bass perhaps.
As I entered Fairhaven Bay at the south end, I saw the small heron, mentioned earlier, in flight. He was a stocky little guy and managed to land/perch at the top of a dead tree. With my binoculars, I observed him for several minutes and noted how the black at the top of his head would stand up, then lay down. His chestnut colored neck would also stretch and contract. He made no call that I could hear. I believe he is a green-backed heron but wouldn't bet money on it.
As I arrived at my takeout location, the sunny skies had returned and my deck had 14 empty containers bringing my YTD total to 1673
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