Now that the ice is finally gone from the inlet canal at the Lincoln Canoe Launch, access to the Sudbury River from one of the more scenic launch sites in the SuAsCo region was possible (pictured at left). Upon arriving at the small parking area, this afternoon, I was pleased to find that I had the place all to myself....that is until loud and absurd laughter rained down from above. I stopped the process of unstrapping my boat and looked around for the source of the raucous sounds. It took only a minute to find the culprit (a pileated woodpecker) on a nearby tree...
Once launched, I paddled down to Fairhaven Bay and on the way was passed by the often seen TRYAK which was motoring downriver at a steady pace...
Across the bay, Brooke Island was seen to be basking in a brief bit of sunshine...
However, rather than paddle to it, I turned about and headed upriver to see if access to the Pantry Brook Wildlife Management Area might be possible with our fairly high water levels of late.
Today's skies were quite changeable as can be seen in this view of Lee's Bridge...
Arriving at the mouth of Pantry Brook, I was happy to see that passage over the sheet piling barrier would be possible (staff gauge showing 4.3')...
...and this allowed me to paddle nearly a half mile into the 410 acre area which is managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
In addition to seeing numerous ducks and geese I was also treated to sightings of belted kingfishers...
...and mushquashes happily going about their business...
Before returning to the river, a damaged cooler was recovered from the shrubbery.
The modest amount of trash encountered on the water today would fit nicely into the aforementioned cooler (following this group shot)...
There were 10 recyclable containers (6 redeemable) and 13 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish.
YTD = 1235
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