Monday, February 1, 2016

A Friendly February

The month of February arrived on the scene this morning in a most friendly manner and allowed this paddler to know the feeling of winning the PowerBall.  Having the good fortune of a day off from work allowed me to access the almost completely ice-free Assabet River from Magazu's Landing in Stow.

After paddling upriver I easily gained entry to Fort Meadow Brook and ascended it...
With temperatures rising into the low 60s (F.) it was like a dream.  My ascent ended at the beaver dam below the abandoned railroad trestle...
 ...where I could see how the passageways beneath the trestle have been cleaned out.  It almost looked navigable.

Returning to the river I continued upriver to where the river gets funneled...
Beavers built a dam here when water levels stayed low for an extended period last summer, and their workmanship is holding up well.  Here's a closer look...
Made a good spot to take lunch before heading back downriver with help from a southwest breeze.

Encountered some swans on ice...

A red-tailed hawk...

Canada geese were holding a meeting...
...before taking off into the breeze...

I continued past Sudbury Rd. to see if the shallow bay at Crow Island was open or iced...
...open and being enjoyed by common mergansers.

The trash haul reflected, once again, someone's penchant for good oral hygiene...
...a baker's dozen of empty mouthwash bottles.

Whatever the second half of winter brings it will be a lot easier to take following this welcome intermission.

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