We have been out on various local lakes and rivers a couple of times a week and have seen a lot: ducks, herons, other birds, deer, beaver, and flowers etc.
We were late starting kayaking this year, what with rain, cold water temperatures and doctors’ appointments, but on May 23 we made it to McDaniels Marsh. It was a chilly morning. We were hoping to see the frogs that Jane had seen a few days earlier when it was up to around 80 F, but it was too cold for them.
We did go out on North Hartland Lake, the Connecticut and the Pompy a few times in June. In mid May we saw a large family of mallards from the shore and again a few weeks later from the kayak.
After a very wet and cool May, we finally got on the water on June 4 at Upper Baker Pond. It was a nice day, Jane’s sister Suzy was with us.
Our next trip was to the North Hartland Lake. Because of government cutbacks, the boat launch is only open on weekends and holidays from 9-6. We miss not being able to go on weekdays, early when it is still foggy and the animals are more apt to be around. That being said, we still see flowers, eagles, herons, flycatchers, kildeers and turtles there.
One of our favorite spots is the “Pompy” we often see a variety of ducks, as well as a lot of flowers and small birds.
The place we return to most is the Connecticut River out of Wilder, and Mink Brook. We find the most variety: from eagles, to herons, to a variety of ducks and small birds as well as mammals, insects and plants. We never know what we will find.
The end of the summer has come. Many mornings are foggy, the leaves are changing color, and we are using coverings on our legs to keep warm. We paddled several times on the Connecticut and the Pompy and once on Indian Pond, seeing the usual suspects.
We have been out several times in the last few weeks. North Hartland Lake is now open for boating, after being closed for more than year after last year’s flooding.
The Connecticut River to Mink Brook is a favorite. It is easy to get to, and almost always has things to see (and there are places to pee).
The Ompompanoosuc River is another favorite.
We joined Jane’s brother and sister-in-law on Lake Fairlee and saw loons and pink water lilies.
