I was here just four days earlier, an exploratory trip to see how the river gauge height correlates with canoeability. It was all good and so I offered M a trip here instead of on an easier tidal river. Our last trip was one of my more difficult log crawl/limbo fests, so M was totally up for a trip with a few well spaced log and beaver dam crossings. I picked a paddle out of my collection for her...one that had been used once, but needed to have a bit of wear added to it, just for spirit.
the Heron waits |
I pushed the nose of the canoe up against the first beaver dam so that M could step out. She stood up, bent at the waist, and then slowly went back on her heals. I instantly wondered whether or not she would go in alone. Not quick enough to counter, we both exited the canoe. I had sealed the camera in its box, so it was all a laugh and quite frankly, a pleasant dip in clean cool water. I did congratulate M as this was only my second dumping in almost 900 days of canoeing.
beaver dam |
Decidedly determined to set a record that would not be matched for some time, as we crossed one of the beaver dams on our return, M stepped out onto what she though would be firm footing. But, there was nothing there. Given the choice, as she got hip deep I just slid out over the gunwale taking my swim without filling the canoe.
A few bends up a small hawkish bird swooped through. It perched...wings longer than the tail...a falcon. I never got a photo, as by this time my camera was staying cased, but it never really stopped long enough anyway. We watched it move from snag to snag, probably eyeing the ground and watching for a small critter that was not paying attention.
M and M getting acquainted |
Trip on August 4th, Great Swamp
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