Concord River Down to the Dam

Closed out the first week of June with a paddle down the Concord River starting from the Bedford Boat Ramp (above photo).  It was a perfect day for paying a visit to the Faulkner Dam in North Billerica.  One of the more scenic spots along the way is the Fordway Bar just below the Pollard Street bridge... 

With the river at its present level and the current being slow, the rocks in the bar are easily avoided.

Beyond the bar is a millpond and Talbot Mills...

The mill tower's bell appears to be unmounted and resting on its floor...

Before leaving the dam area it appeared the river was looking back at me...

While paddling upriver back through the Fordway Bar I encountered this strange creature...

...believed to be a young Star-nosed Mole.  It was in almost constant motion and took to swimming at one point.  One of the stranger creatures I've ever encountered.

  

Later ran across this cormorant perched on a wire...

...which I would've thought difficult on account of their presumably webbed feet.

Very little in the way of trash...

On the previous Friday I paddled the Sudbury River from River Road in Wayland where repair work is still underway on the Route 27 bridge...

Near the bridge this killdeer or possibly a Wilson's Plover stood still for a photo...

Just before reaching the Route 20 bridge came across this cormorant cluster...

I'd imagine a gang this big would clean out the local fish population in short order.

Passed under a serene-looking Pelham Island Bridge...

Trash was also on the light side with what looked like bits insulating foam...

Happy to report the U.S. Postal Service took possession of the three mail crates recovered from the upper Concord River in late May.