Petapawag to Babbitasset Falls

This afternoon my plan was to paddle the Nashua River upstream from Petapawag in Groton.  However my choice of direction changed after talking to a fisherman just coming in from a successful outing on the Nashua downstream of Petapawag.   Scott reported having experienced good bass fishing and plenty of wildlife encounters.  The wildlife he specifically mentioned were ospreys and a small black bear he watched swim across the river.  This is Scott by his boat at Petapawag...

He told me the bear crossed the river near a large tree trunk just before the river widens considerably.   Shortly I was heading downriver in search of the tree trunk and hopefully a glimpse of the bear.  I believe this may be the tree trunk he referred to...

  ...and nearby was what looked like a possible bear takeout location...

Yet despite my intensive scrutiny of the area, the small bear was not to be seen by me.  However I did see the osprey Scott mentioned...

...and possibly its nest...

Also seen were herons, mute swans, cormorants, ducks, and kingfishers.

The day was sort of moody with the sunlight trying to pierce through the dark clouds ...

By the time I reached Babbitasset Falls blue skies were prevailing...

In zooming the above photo I could see the clock tower in East Pepperell's Railroad Square.

The trip back upriver was a tranquil one...

Trash today was most plentiful near an area frequented by shore-fishermen along the Westside Trail.
My haul for this day...

There were 28 recyclable containers (12 redeemable) and 30 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, bait tubs, and Styrofoam.  YTD = 4512

I'm thinking it's just a matter of time before I, too, see a black bear 'round these parts.  I'm also glad that many of the Native American place names have survived long enough to witness the return of our region's once native wildlife.