Ipswich River - Mortalo's Landing to Log Bridge

Finishing up work in Danvers today, it was just too nice of an afternoon to waste sitting in traffic.  So, I postponed my commute and launched my boat into the Ipswich River at Mortalo's Landing (Rt. 62) in Middleton.  The river looked to be at springtime water levels due to the deluge of rain this area received last Tuesday when between 3" to 5" of rain fell in a 2 hour period.
One sad site at the landing was a set of tires that someone decided to dump there and save $10 in disposal costs...

I'm beginning to think there should be no disposal fee for used tires and that ultimate disposal costs should be included in the price of the tire when purchased new.  At least these 2 will be easy for the local public works department to recover from near the roadside.

With the current being fairly strong, I elected to paddle upriver thus insuring an easy trip back later.
After paddling past the upside down teepee frame in the opening picture, I followed the winding course of the river in a southerly direction.  At least 3 beaver dams were easily paddled over thanks to the high water levels.  Wood ducks, mallards, Canada geese, and small woodpeckers were plentiful.  A hawk was seen as well.

I went ashore at Log Bridge to check out the kiosk and plaque...

 

This became my turnaround point and the trip downriver was effortless with such a nice current to ride.  One odd site seen on the return trip was this device hanging in a tree...

I'm left wondering if it might be for reeling in a duck decoy?

Trash was very light in this section of river with only 15 pieces being recovered...

There were 7 recyclable containers (2 redeemable) and 8 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as nip bottles, plastic bags, a styrofoam cup, and a flip-flop.  YTD total = 5512.