Back in the kayaks!

After a long winter, we are back on the water! Our first paddle was on the McDaniels Marsh. The water temperature was warm: the frogs and turtles were abundant, the geese were paired with at least one with goslings, and the red-winged blackbirds were staking out their territories.

McDaniels Marsh, Springfield, NH 5/14/22
Painted turtles on a log. McDaniels Marsh, Springfield, NH 5/14/22
Canada geese with goslings. McDaniels Marsh, Springfield, NH 5/14/22
Red-winged blackbird. McDaniels Marsh, Springfield, NH 5/14/22

Our next trip was to Upper Baker Pond near Orford, NH. When we arrived, Mt Cube had it’s top in the clouds. It was nice to paddle without the usual docks out. We didn’t see much wildlife: one pair of geese flying, a great blue heron in a tree, a red-winged blackbird. Was it too early in the year? has the avian flu decimated the bird population? were we too late in the day?…

Mt. Cube. Upper Baker Pond, 5/19/22
New leaves with a freshet. Upper Baker Pond, 5/20/22
Red-winged blackbird. Upper Baker Pond, 5/20/22
Blueberry blossoms. Upper Baker Pond, 5/20/22

The next day, Jane and I went to the Pompy. The water temperature was marginally warm, I wouldn’t want to swim in it, probably in the mid 50’s. The bushes on both sides of the river were filled with birdsong, with just enough leaves so it was hard to see the birds.

Bobolink. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22
Catbird. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22
Canada goose with goslings. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22
Goslings. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22
Female red-winged blackbird. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22
Tree swallows. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/21/22