Early this morning, I re-enacted a recent trash patrol on the Assabet River in Pompositticut in hopes of finding the same plethora of wildlife I encountered on 10/2. I drove over the top of the same hill on the way and looking to the east saw a preview of a nearly identical sunrise. At Whitman's Crossing, I launched my boat in pre-dawn darkness and began paddling upriver. Reaching the enchanted zone was much easier this time as there was clear passage where a raft of matted grass hindered passage last time. The photo at left shows my arrival just as the sunlight began climbing down the trees. A mute swan flew overhead with its loud wingbeating as I entered the area and shortly thereafter I approached this group of great egrets...
Looking around for the river otters, I finally saw one in the distance as it swam across the river. Upon reaching the shore he launched himself like a torpedo into the cattails and vanished. After waiting awhile and seeing no further activity, I resumed patrolling upriver. About a half-mile later, after rounding a sharp bend, my patrol came face to face with a small squadron of otters patrolling in the opposite direction...
A parley was called for and their leader approached so we could hammer out proper rules of engagement...
It was agreed that both patrols would not engage but rather both proceed in their intended directions post-haste, and that was safely accomplished.
Soon I was passing through this narrow throat in the river...
Don't know if this spot has a name, but I think of it as the 'fish spearing spot'. I can easily imagine Native Americans standing on those rocks to the right with long spears poised for the throw at a salmon or shad.
Reaching Gleasondale, I found the mill's chimney sporting some new steel?-work at its top...
Just below the Route 62 bridge I turned around and allowed the current to help me return downriver to Whitman's Crossing. Along the way, I saw an osprey and a red-tailed hawk. Passing the Honey Pot Hill Orchards I saw and heard wagonloads of happy apple pickers being towed by tractors towards the fruit laden trees.
Approaching my takeout location the only other boats of the day were encountered. Both were small power boats being used by fishermen heading slowly upriver. Both reported excellent bass fishing.
It was one of those mornings that was just about perfect for anything! Throw in some music by the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Jimmy Buffet, Enya, Mark Knopfler, Pat Metheny, Fred Neil, and the Academy of St. Martin in the Field and it just can't get any better than that, at least for me!
At Whitman's my trash haul spilled forth...
Today's catch consisted of 39 pieces of trash: 19 recyclable containers (7 redeemable) and 20 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as the tire inner tube, plastic bags, and a styrofoam bait tub. YTD total stands at 5196.
In keeping with this being a deja vu experience, Mrs. Trashpaddler and I re-enacted our pedalling of the Nashua River Rail Trail and scooped up these 10 plastic/aluminum containers along the trail between Ayer and East Pepperell...
They were split evenly with 5 redeemable and 5 not.
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