An Ice-Free Tidal Refuge

Took advantage of this morning's relatively warm temperatures and mid-morning high tide by getting in some early spring (I hope) paddling behind Plum Island in Newbury and Newburyport.

I launched into the Plum Island River from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and after taking a look at the Plum Island Drawbridge (opening photo) headed south towards the mouth of the Parker River which I then ascended up to the Route 1A bridge at Old Newbury...

The marina just beyond the bridge is still hunkered down with stacked docks and shrink-wrapped boats ...

The flag attests to the day's persistent westerly wind that just didn't want to lay down.

I turned there with the tide and worked my way back to the Plum Island Drawbridge...

...before returning to the takeout.

The Parker River refuge was busy with visitors today as this view of the parking lot closest to the entrance shows...

   On the ocean side of the island were several surfers...

This weekend's weather was in sharp contrast to the previous one. So too, today's paddling of Plum Island Sound waters contrasted sharply with the waters of Tarpon Bay in Florida.

Some trash encountered along the way...

...including yet another Hookset Disk.