Monday, September 5, 2011

Pompositticut Waters/Fort Meadow Brook

This morning's sunrise paddle on the Assabet River in Pompositticut included an unexpected ascent of Fort Meadow Brook up to the old Central Mass Railroad trestle, seen at left.  Passage through the culvert was, once again, possible because the recently constructed "beaver deceiver" was no longer blocking the culvert.  It had either been removed by those who built it (most likely) or been heaved up onto the shore by some irate beavers and otters (less likely, but nonetheless possible).  Here it is in its present state...
This is how it looked 2 weeks ago (before T.S. Irene)...
I suspect that it created the exact situation it was meant to prevent.

This still in bloom waterlily was floating in the brook...

Another flower still in bloom was this one...

Earlier, I'd encountered this green heron just after his wobbly landing upon this dead tree...

A short distance upstream of the Fort Meadow/Assabet confluence this mink was encountered enjoying a meal of freshly caught fish...

This seemed appropriate as I've been enjoying the book Mink River of late. 

Upon reaching the narrow ford before Gleasondale, I went ashore for a break...

The river had recently washed over the bank seen to the left and most of today's trash haul was recovered there...

Total was 67 and included 31 recyclable containers (6 redeemable) and 36 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, nip bottles, styrofoam, and bait tubs.  YTD total stands at 4727.


2 comments:

PenobscotPaddles said...

Wow, a lot of wildlife observations! I'm amazed!

Al said...

Mink or otter? When I first saw the animal referred to as a mink I thought it was either a small otter or a very large mink. However, after checking other photos of mink I notice they do not have a prominent black nose, whereas this animal had such a black nose. Unfortunately, the tail was not seen as this would have made identification much easier.
The animal was seen in an area where otters have been seen on several occasions.