This afternoon I paddled the crystal clear waters of the Ware River's East Branch which originates on the west slope of Wachusett Mountain. I had scouted this area last December on foot and noted several river otters being present. Might they still be there?
On the way upstream I passed this Hi-Rise beaver lodge...
Today's high water levels allowed easy passage over half a dozen beaver dams en-route to the section of river I desired.
When this dead catfish floated by...
Just a little further upstream I encountered a couple of them...
They both periscoped up at one point, but I wasn't fast enough with the camera.
Later I encountered a pair (perhaps the same seen earlier) that were busy with something on the bottom. At first I thought they were ducks partially submerged...
Not sure what he's got in his mouth. Perhaps it's a tuber?
These river otters were in the same area where I saw them last time, and it seems to me they've found a bit of "Otter Heaven" for themselves.
Other wildlife enjoying this area were wood ducks, mergansers, Canada geese, blue herons, belted kingfishers, and turkey vultures.
At a point the stream got too narrow for my liking so I turned about and headed downriver to where this covered bridge straddled a rocky drop...
Back at the takeout my trash haul posed 'a la mode' (hopefully for the last time)...
There were 23 recyclable containers (7 redeemable) and 11 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as Styrofoam, balloons, a golf ball, and fishing bobbers. YTD = 828
On my drive home, I passed to the south of Wachusett Mountain...
...and it had become a beautiful April afternoon.
1 comment:
Love the bridge - Lis
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