Leaf Farmer

The maples are at peak and are dropping leaves in droves.

I am a leaf farmer.  I rake the leaves and put them into our compost bins.

Last year's compost is dark and rich.  Soon the last of it will be spread onto the garden beds.

The winds are predominantly from the north.  Our days barely hit 70 degF now, and we have to run the pellet stove to take the chill out of the house as we rise in the morning.

I hear the call of waterfowl.  Migrating mallards were down in the river today.

The scenery changes fast now.  I wonder what tomorrow will be like . . . 

My Easter Paddle

I decided to get a longer paddle in.  I put in above the falls, and paddled up the Otter for 6 miles.  This part of the Otter has some houses on the river as you leave town, but then opens into farmland.

The wildlife is not as numerous as that at the mouth of the Otter.  The current was pretty strong (~ 2 mph).  There were some waterfowl about, mostly Canada geese, mallards and black ducks.

I saw an redtail hawk upstream in a tree.  As I got close enough for a photo, it took off.  It circled around and  then flew off through the trees.

Off in the distance was Buck Mountain.

I would come across ducks, but would never get real close.  I would start to get close, but as I would get the camera out, the current would quickly push me downstream away from the ducks.

I was able to get some good photos of swifts.  They are very hard to get when they are flying.  They always remind me of little fighter jets!

What was that up ahead?  Yep - a turkey!  I see them a lot when I paddle the Otter.

Ahead I could see Snake Mountain.

Finally, I got to the bridge.  It took me 3 hours to go 6 miles.

I turned around and started to head back.  It was good to get the current helping me.

There are a number of smaller creeks feeding into the Otter.  At this time of year you can paddle up them.  You never know what you will find.

Inquisitive squirrels.

Skunk cabbage.

Bracket fungus on an old log.

I pulled into one little creek.  Off in the distance was a cluster of weathered barns and an old windmill.

Three hours to go upstream the 6 miles.  One hour to get back.  A pretty good early season training paddle.  Good to build endurance.

I was hungry.  I got home and ate some jelly beans and chocolate (no, thats not all I ate - I actually, I ended up eating some pasta for lunch).

I didn't see the Easter Bunny, but I saw some of his friends.  Happy Easter!

Paddling the Mouth of Otter Creek

A pictorial of my paddle today.  It was cool.  About 25 degF.  The bays were frozen, . . .

. . .  as were the slower slangs and river valleys.

Low-lying areas are still frozen.

The Otter Creek is ice free, and it has flooded low-lying areas around it.

The broad lake still has a sizable ice-pack, . . .

. . . as have most of the bays.

Evidence of the recent icepack breakup on the river is found on this beaver lodge.

A lot of waterfowl are to be found.  Buffleheads (female on left, male on the right), . . .

. . . male merganser, . . .

. . . bald eagles,  . . .

. . .  and immature bald eagles!

Paddling in the flooded woods is like paddling in a swamp!

An occasional cormorant.

Flock of mergansers getting ready to take flight.

Canada geese.

Takeoff!

One of many osprey nests.

One of many wood duck boxes in this wildlife management area.

My kayak.  Warm spirit, cold feet!

Enjoy.