Assabet River's Ups and Downs

 

The Assabet River's "Leaning Hemlocks" was shrouded in some early-morning fog when I paddled upriver yesterday.  My ascent of the river was made easier thanks to last week's nor'easter replenishing water levels.  The storm was a mixed blessing, though, as it also toppled a few more trees into the river.  The trickiest of these to get around was one piled onto several existing blowdowns near Barrett's Farm.  

Additionally, a large tree spans the river just upstream of the MBTA commuter rail bridge in West Concord, MA (seen looking downriver)...

Was able to find work-arounds up to and past the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.  However, my upriver progress came to an end at this previous blowdown below Pine Street...

...where I decided not to tempt fate.

This great blue heron seemed fine with the trees in the river...

While out on the river I saw 4 white-tailed deer complete a river crossing by successfully climbing the riverbank.  They were all wearing their dark winter coats.  If I'd arrived there 10 seconds earlier I might've captured a photo.

Came across this 25' or 30' long mat made of linked wood slats...

...perhaps used by someone to gain access to the river across a muddy stretch.  It was seen floating in the Sudbury River in the vicinity of Egg Rock (which also lost a tree from its east side)...

This photo taken in August shows the above mentioned tree as it formerly stood...

Trash was fairly light...