Friday, October 25, 2013

Low Passage on the Sudbury

Skies were quite changeable over the Sudbury River today leaving little doubt that a new and colder season is upon us.  Glad I'd remembered to bring my hat with earflaps and a warm pair of gloves.
I launched at River Road in Wayland and headed upriver taking in the view eastward (opening photo) before reaching Rt. 20.
As with other rivers in eastern Massachusetts, the Sudbury River is very low on water and usually submerged piling stubs were on display at the old Central Mass RR trestle...

I'm not sure if it was the low water levels or the recent government shutdown that caused this old turtle to give up the fight...
 
 
 
Water channels deep enough for my kayak became increasingly hard to find behind Wayland High School and the # 7 buoy was high and dry...
 
 
The low water levels are also revealing some usually submerged commuter lanes for beavers...
 
 
At a spot above the outlet from Heard Pond which proved an ideal place to ford the river, my recovered castaways and I stretched out legs...
There were 52 recyclable containers (18 redeemable) and 40 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish.  A couple of older bottles were: a Listerine bottle showing Lambert Pharmacal Co. and  stylish old 12 oz. Canada Dry bottle from the late 50's. 
Trash YTD = 5380
 
The trip back downriver saw blue skies returning at Indian Point...
 
Wildlife observed today were a red-tailed hawk, an osprey, a northern harrier, a blue heron, belted kingfishers, sandpipers, killdeers, cormorants, and a few ducks (real and imitation).
After passing Rt. 20 and en route back to River Rd. I came upon what looked like a duck festival.  Numerous floating decoys and a few others with wings in motion were staged in front of several well camouflaged hunters.  Here I was very glad that my hat with earflaps also happens to be blaze orange, and I'll plan to wear it for the duration of hunting season.   
  


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