July 29-Aug 4

We paddled a few times this week, mostly on the Connecticut River between Wilder and Hanover, but also the North Hartland Lake. We saw beaver,

Beaver -- Connecticut River
Beaver — Connecticut River

Getting ready for a warning splash
Getting ready for a warning splash
Splash
Splash

cormorants,

Cormorant --Connecticut River
Cormorant –Connecticut River

mergansers,

Mergansers --North Hartland Lake
Mergansers –North Hartland Lake

great blue herons,

Great blue heron fishing --North Hartland Lake
Great blue heron fishing –North Hartland Lake
Great blue heron caught something
Great blue heron caught something

an indigo bunting,

Indigo bunting -- North Hartland Lake
Indigo bunting — North Hartland Lake

kingfishers,

Kingfisher --North Hartland Lake
Kingfisher –North Hartland Lake

a yellowthroat,

Yellowthroat --North Hartland Lake
Yellowthroat –North Hartland Lake

damsel flies,

Damsel flies --Connecticut River
Damsel flies –Connecticut River

merlins,

Merlins --Connecticut River
Merlins –Connecticut River

and lots of mallards and wood ducks.

Duck stretch  --Connecticut River
Duck stretch –Connecticut River

Ducklings had a successful snail hunt --Connecticut River
Ducklings had a successful snail hunt –Connecticut River
Mallard reflection --Connecticut River
Mallard reflection –Connecticut River
Mallard preening --Connecticut River
Mallard preening –Connecticut River
Wood duck --Connecticut River
Wood duck –Connecticut River

On Tuesday, our friends Diane Langley and Mardrey Swenson (and Gemma) came with us.

Gemma isn't sure she wants to be in the kayak with Mardrey Swenson --Connecticut River.
Gemma isn’t sure she wants to be in the kayak with Mardrey Swenson –Connecticut River.
Diane Langley -- Connecticut River
Diane Langley — Connecticut River

Just ducky

Today’s paddle on the Connecticut and Mink Brook was just ducky.

Stretching his wings
Stretching his wings
Mrs Woody
Mrs Woody
Duck family
Duck family
Mallard family
Mallard family
Daisy
Daisy

Last paddle of the season

We paddled the Ompompanoosuc this afternoon, the last paddle of the season. The water (and air) is getting too cold for safety without specialized clothing. We’ve had a good run: averaging 3 times a week since mid May.

Mallard in flight
Mallard in flight

Mallards landing
Mallards landing
Seeds
Seeds
Reflections on the Pompy
Reflections on the Pompy

Connecticut River paddle

We spent a beautiful afternoon paddling the Connecticut River and Mink Brook.

The lame tame duck.
The lame tame duck.

Mallard flying across the river.
Mallard flying across the river.
Mallard
Mallard
Mouth of Mink Brook
Mouth of Mink Brook
Reflections
Reflections