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 Paddling Journal August 2003

What will August bring? Summer is coming to a close so a lot of paddling I hope.

Trips this month: 1
Total trips this year: 55

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08/1/04
Put-In : Hannah Mills
Time : 8:30 a.m..
Temp : 80
Weather : Cloudy
Water : Smooth
Tide :  Incoming

I set out this morning with no clear idea where I was going to go or where I was going to end up - not all that unusual come to think of it. I found Cedar Point empty which on a weekend, lately is unusual so I braved the trash and got the boat in the water about 8:30. I could see on the opposite bank from the put-in a Great Blue Heron sitting in the grass at a point where a branch breaks off to the north so I decided to see if the wind and current would push me near before he spooked. He was so well hidden that I thought he had taken off while I was positioning myself for the float in but I decided to stay patient and kept my camera pointed where I thought he was. We were both quite surprise when I cleared the grass and found him still there a few feet away.

My back was a little more tender once I got out there so I really didn't think I would stay out long. As I rounded the second big bend where the creek splits off either to the south toward Clapboard or north and east toward Cedar Point road and Hannah Mills I observed a lone Spoonbill flying overhead. He was coming from the general direction of Tiger Point but I never saw another.

I crossed over intending to take the northeast branch and hang out near the large sea daisy island at the confluence of Cedar Point and Hannah Mills. Just as I got to the other side I heard three loud exhales and turned to see the large bright white plumes of mist exuding from the dark shapes which were surfacing. This forceful display repeated itself and it was followed a few seconds later by some intense splashing near the grass on the opposite bank. There were a couple of fishermen anchored there and the dolphins were at least 200 yards away so I stopped where I was and observed the dolphins moving back and forth between the boats and the grass - often splashing a great deal as they fed happily.

I scared a number of herons away from the sea daisy island and then stopped to rest a bit. I was really thinking seriously about heading back at that point but I decided to explore a couple of the small streams near there. At one point I saw a small dark shape along the water's edge and paddled over to investigate. I had just about convinced myself that it was merely a piece of wood sticking out the grass when it moved and as I got closer I could see that it was the rarely seen but always heard clapper rail. These shy birds are the rude noise makers of the marsh and you can hear their whoopee cushion-like calls resounding through the marsh at dusk. It is very rare to see one, however and at best you might see one as they scamper from one bank of grass to the next. It was very unusual for this guy to be sitting out in the open and even more unusual that he didn't seem too perturbed as I tried to get closer. Finally he had enough and in a flash he disappeared into the grass behind him. I tried to do an imitation of his call to see if he would respond but I guess he thought it sounded a little too much like my squirrel bark or Donald Duck voice and he was right. At any rate he remained silent.

One of the little streams put me out in the branch of Cedar that heads directly to the ICW so I thought "why not?" and headed that way. About where the large sandbar is located I saw another promising stream and decided to explore it for a while.

Finally, I headed back about three hours after setting out.

See the pictures from this trip

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DISCLAIMER :  This web site is my own personal web site and does not express the opinions or views of any other person or organization. Use the information contained herein at your own risk. I do not attempt to represent myself as an expert in the matters of paddling or the outdoors. Note : There are many references to areas where I have noted as pleasant and inviting places to either picnic, camp or otherwise enjoy. Be aware that you do so at your own risk and any violation of trespass laws you do so at your own discretion. Please be respectful of both the environment and other people's property. Note : I find it really sad that I have to even include a statement like this!