Monday, April 22, 2013

Chased Inland by a Cold Sea Breeze

My original Earth Day plan was to paddle some salty Cape Ann waters late this morning.  However, a stiff wind blowing in off the cold Atlantic Ocean sent me some 30 miles inland to the Sudbury River where I paddled from Route 20 up to Heard Pond and back.  While the winds out of the east were still blowing all afternoon, air temperatures felt a bit warmer than at the coast.  This is the longest month of March I ever remember!

The opening photo was taken near my turnaround point above Heard Pond and at 2:50 pm (the exact time of the first Boston Marathon explosion one week ago).  Church bells could be heard ringing off to the north and the tranquility found on the river today contrasted with last week's horrific events.

Upon beginning my upriver trip Nobscot Hill loomed to the west...
Since it's Earth Day, I wondered if there's any limit to how many antennas one hill can be forced to bear.

Nearby, a Canada goose sat sentry on a beaver lodge (hopefully with beaver family permission)...
...and wasn't welcoming visitors.

The recent construction work on the Pelham Island Road bridge appears to be complete...


At Indian Point I found water levels high enough to allow passage into Heard Pond.  Paddling through the shallows I noted this solitary rock which seemed out of place...
 Upon closer inspection, it began moving...
 
 
In the pond proper, these 3 cormorants were taking a break from fishing...
Other birds seen today were numerous tree swallows skimming the surface of Heard Pond, red-winged blackbirds, a turkey vulture, and a hawk.
 
Looking out on the pond from a small bluff where lunch was taken...
 
My Earth Day trash haul back at the takeout...
There were 33 recyclable containers (8 redeemable) and 30 pieces of misc. rubbish.  Most of today's trash was found at spots frequented by shore-fishermen.
 
Yesterday, Mrs. Trashpaddler and I scooped up this catch while biking the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Chelmsford...
Found on the bike trail were 24 recyclable containers (9 redeemable) and 12 pieces of misc. rubbish.
 
YTD total = 1981
 
Each haul was noted to contain 10 plastic single-serve water bottles of less than 1-liter. 
 
Happy Earth Day!


4 comments:

suep said...

huzzah ! first snapper of the season. When you see one that is sticking out of the water THAT far, look closely - there might be another one under it !
(love it is the air)(and water too, apparently)

We are seeing many painted turtles basking but no snappers yet

Al said...

Hi Sue, Yes, I believe you're correct and that there was another snapper beneath the surface.
Perhaps yesterday was Valentines Day on the calendar used by snapping turtles.

BERNIE said...

Al, fyi, I was interviewed for an article (“Keeping South Burlington Clean One Day at a Time”) and it has been published in the May issue of the South Burlington Life magazine. On the second page of the article there is a section titled “4 Blogs to check out”. (Blogs with similiar missions to my blog). After the blog titles, there is a brief description of the blog. Trash Paddler is included.

Al said...

Thanks Bernie.