Paddling into Pantry Brook

Having grown tired of waiting for good weather, I decided to launch my boat into the nice 'n high Sudbury River at Sherman's Bridge.  My only goal was to see if the entrance to the  Pantry Brook Wildlife Management Area was navigable given the higher than usual water level.  It was easily accessed with about 6 inches of water over the steel beams(photo at left). 

The staff gauge at the sheet-piling barrier...

The day was yet another in a long string of cloudy days and unseasonably cool temperatures.  Fortunately, winds were light.

For ducks, it must have been an ideal day for there were plenty hanging out in the PBWMA.  There were mallards, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and ring-necked ducks.  In addition were Canada geese, mute swans, and many red-winged blackbirds...

Also present were musquashes and this fast swimming beaver...

Thanks to the high water I was able to penetrate the brook/marsh until there was no clear channel...

This was about half a mile from the brook's mouth.  Would've needed an air boat to go any further.

On my way back up the Sudbury River, this yellow bird caught my eye near Weir Hill...

Closest thing I find in my guide book is a Palm Warbler?

Upstream of Sherman's Bridge the view southward revealed the diminished visibility...

 

 

Head room under Sherman's Bridge was at a premium...

 

 

Will it ever be sunny and warm...on the same day?

 

Trash encountered along the way...