Back where I belong

Last year was a pretty good year for kayaking, but I didn’t get to my favorite place (the Spirit River) because the water levels were so low. During the last few years there folks have been working on the dam that creates a big reservoir on this river, so the draw-down may have been part of that, but I’m not sure. Whatever the cause it was a bummer. My favorite part of paddling here is going out of the main channel into the backwaters and eddies and I knew that it wouldn’t be possible. So this year as the temperatures rose during the early spring, I kept an eye on the reservoir and check it out!

Woo hoo! And what a day – Simpsons clouds! That shot up there is looking at the channel split and this next one is a little closer where you can see the entrance to the backwater where the trees break a little in the middle.

So into the back channel I went. There are more of these hidden worlds, but the mosquitos were maddening so I spent the most time in this one and kept moving around trying to evade them. It’s such a beautiful place that I had to endure for a least a little while.

After last year’s low water levels, I think a whole bunch more grasses, reeds and other plants took root where I don’t remember this much being before. Some quick routes through from the main channel to where the Bald eagle nest is were totally blocked which made me have to take the long way. I’m happy to report there are two young ones in the nest and should fledge over the next couple of months. But back into the woods we go, you know how I love a bendy tree –

One of the joys of being on the water this time of year is that the Blue Flag is blooming all over the place. Not many were in such beautiful positions as this one though –

This is how it looks at one of the openings back to the main channel. Some are easier to get through than others and this time I had to do the kayak scoot over a partially submerged log.

But one more little scene before I head back there; some Sensitive fern in a pool of sunlight. Had to practically tangle myself in old branches in order to get this. Kind of funny.

Wicked buggy though and I soon I escaped back to the main channel –

After you’ve been kayaking a while you can become adept at spotting unusual movement on the water if you pay attention and stay alert. Some ripples warn of a boulder or stump below, others alert you to a secret swimmer –

Not the best photo ever since I was in a huge hurry to get a shot and the little Garter snake was basically terrified. Was able to salvage the shot with some external software to deal with the noise and add some sharpness. Phew. While I’ve seen snake swimming several times, I’ve never managed a photo of one mostly because I’d have the wrong lens on. This time, with the two bodies, I had the G9 M2 with the long tele on it and so could manage something.

And with the wider lens on the G9 M1, I could stop for shots like this –

And these lush ferns wouldn’t let me pass without trying to capture them, too.

So glad I have a mix of photos from my kayak trips these days. I like having both G9s ready to go. As of this writing, I’m planning to head out again in a few days. Gotta make the most of the season!