Charles Island

 We woke to a calm and beautiful fall day that was far too nice to waste and after short discussion of whether to hike or canoe, we drove the 5 minutes over to the town harbor.

As we set out the oyster boat "Risky Business" was backing into its slip and we chatted with one of the crew about what an excellent day it was.  Then, we paddled out passing a small flock of wintering Buffleheads who are feeding in the harbor.

S scoping the Long Tailed Ducks

I suppose it had been at least a year since we'd visited Charles Island, and that last trip was by foot using the long bar that connects it to shore at low tide.  The water has dropped to the 50's by now, so for safety we turn and follow the shore, a longer circular route to the island, but one where we are mostly in or near shallow water.  It's winter paddling common sense, canoeing in 4 ft of water is not much different than paddling in a hundred feet of water except that it is safer.  Once at the bar, we follow it out to the island.  We pass a wintering Red-Throated Loon, smaller than the Common Loon with an obvious white throat.

Once on the far side of the island, I catch the calls of Long Tailed Ducks.  We beach the canoe and get out the binoculars and spot about a dozen a couple hundred yards out.  The constant chattering of the males is easy to hear in the calm air.

Then we finish circling the island and pick up the bar again for the return to the harbor.  S watches as a woman in an outrigger comes near and talks with us, "This is the first canoe I've seen out here, etc."  It's hard to describe, but we have little in common.  She wants to talk gear and gear isn't interesting.  This is primarily a workout for her, type A personality in pricey equipment.  Later, I comment to S that most of the people we meet canoeing are so much more aware of where they are - one of my favorite things about Connecticut.

Old Simon Lake submarine wreckage

Back in the harbor we take a short diversion to look at a small but heavy piece of wreckage.  Not long ago I found out that Simon Lake, an early submarine 20th century inventor, had beached one of his projects in the harbor where it sits rusting to this day.  I'd seen it from a distance and thought it was an abandoned ocean buoy.  It was worth the trip as up close one can see the complexity and sturdiness of the design.  It happens to be right in front the three houses that Lake built for his son and two daughters.