Miraculously, the weather turned perfect as soon as we launched our canoes - kind of like a divine reward for having done the right thing. From the landing on the Necktie River, we headed south toward Hart Lake amid ducks (mostly mallards and goldeneyes) and Canada geese. As we approached the lake, we saw ten pelicans clustered near the inlet.
A mild tail wind pushed us gently across the lake. Two trumpeter swans graced the scene near the outlet. As we approached, they took flight, running on the water and beating their wings until they reached air speed. Four more flew over us a little farther downstream. They seem to have the perfect design for efficient long distance flight.
The water level was perfect, allowing us to float over the rocky patches that often require watchful maneuvering. The high water mark established during the recent spring runoff was at eye level as I sat in my canoe. An adult bald eagle spotted us from a distance and took a perch near the river where it could observe our progress at close range. It seemed more curious than fearful as we passed under its gaze.
Kingfishers swooped about with their lilting flight habit from one perch to another. We heard ruffed grouse drumming, chorus and wood frogs singing, and the junglecock calling of pileated woodpeckers. Fish were thrashing about in the shallows; we imagined them to be suckers. Trying to get close enough for a look caused them to 'disappear'.
As we paddled, I imagined the changes that are imminent on this landscape. The forests along the river are dominated by tamarack and black ash. The tamarack is in visible decline, showing ample signs of woodpecker activity, evidence of the insect problems that have been plaguing tamarack in recent years. The ashes look good, now, but the emerald ash borer is almost certain to kill them all. Tamarack will probably come back. It gets wiped out once in each generation and somehow manages to rebound. But the ashes seem doomed, maybe forever. Should foresters seek other species that will fill their niches? Will any other species work in that wet environment? I intend to look into it.
We made a casual survey of cattail species as we passed by, searching for our native Typha latifolia (common cattail). Sightings were few and far between. Far more common is Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail), which is a much more agressive and invasive species, or a hybrid of the two which is more aggressive, yet. These newcomers choke out most other vegetation, establishing monocultures that are less valuable for wildlife habitat than our native mixed vegetation.
We finished our 7.5 mile cruise in two hours, just as the sun was setting. We topped off the evening relaxing in Jack's barn around the wood stove, enjoying homemade wine, venison snacks and conversation.
