Encouraging Signs Along the Rivers

 

Closed out the month of April with some paddling visits to the Nashua River in Groton, MA (Petapawag), the Charles River in Dover, MA, and the Assabet River from Ice House Landing in Maynard, MA.

The Nashua River on a cloudy and calm Friday...

Rocky Narrows on the Charles on a breezy Sunday morning...

The Assabet River's Ben Smith Dam under yesterday's sunny but breezy conditions...

 

Paddled past 2 eagle nests, one on the Nashua River and another on the Assabet River.  The Nashua nest showed no signs of activity and I was convinced it was abandoned until, once home, I zoomed a photo and found that an adult eagle was inside the nest and keeping a vigilant eye upon me...

The Assabet nest, though smaller, revealed already-hatched eaglets when two small heads briefly appeared...

A blue heron near Broadmoor along the Charles...

Turtles are now out in good numbers and included this guy who dwarfed the others...

Ferns are shooting up...

The Assabet River allowed an unexpected visit into Thanksgiving Pond thanks to the bridge beneath the rail trail having been cleared of debris...

The small pond at the mouth of Taylor Brook provided shelter from the day's gusty breeze...

Trash from Friday's time on the Nashua River...

Trash from the Charles River on Sunday...

...included this premium ice cream container from the "LITTLEST state"...

...and this ale can named for the "Long Trail"...

...showing that trash gets around.

The very small amount of trash found on the Assabet River yesterday...