Loon Census

Today was the annual loon census.  We did the Flow as usual.  None of the neighbors had seen a pair with a chick so we didn't expect to see that.  But we also didn't expect to see a group of 5 loons just hanging out at the eastern end of the main lake.  They eventually flew to different parts of the lake, but we didn't see any leave.  At one point they were making lots of noise and I noticed the bald eagle flying overhead.  It landed in a tree not far from where I was paddling.  Then W was entertained by a family of otters up at the culvert end of the lake.  So it was a good day for wildlife viewing.

Paddling Raquette Flow

Today we joined a group of friends paddling the Flow.  The water is a foot higher than normal thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, so it was hard to get into our boats from the shore at our place.  But it was still better than portaging around the dam to join our friends at the home of the leader.  Instead, we met them at our side of the dam.  We paddled down to the pump house where we had lunch.  It was quite windy so we just headed back home from there.

Paddling the North Branch of the Saranac River

We led a great paddle today on the north branch of the Saranac River.  We were afraid we would be impeded by beaver dams but they must have left that area.  We "scooched" over several old dams but they weren't an issue.  What stopped us, after about 2.75 miles upstream, was lack of water.  We had hoped to get out at the dock we discovered the last time we were there.  While it is still possible to drive to that point and put in there, it is all overgrown and we didn't see how we would get all of our boats out.  So we paddled back to our starting point on Kushaqua-Mud Pond Road and had lunch there.  After lunch some folks paddled up the Narrows.  It was quite hot so we elected to leave instead.

I have never seen so many yellow water lilies.

Paddling South Creek To Weller Pond

The winds today were very calm so we put in at South Creek and paddled across Middle Saranac Lake to Weller and Little Weller.  We found what must be an abandoned loon nest along the way toward Little Weller.

There were lots of rose pogonia orchids around.

And lots of pitcher plant flowers.

We stopped at campsite 85 at the north end of Weller for lunch.

Paddling Summary - 2023

While looking for paddling ideas for this season I discovered I never did a paddling summary for last year.  So here it is.

Deer River Flow

Follensby Clear

Forked Lake

Lake Placid

Little Tupper

Long Pond - W only

Lower Saranac Lake

Piercefield Flow

Rollins to Square

Round Lake

Second Pond to Lake Flower

South Creek to Weller - W only

 

Paddling Axton Landing to the Crusher

Yesterday 9 of us paddled from Axton Landing to the Crusher.

First Snow

 

Christmas at Longwood - part 2

For the night time part of the exhibit we chose a warmish evening.  We got a pretty good parking spot in the main lot and were amazed at the many school buses full of people being brought in from the parking lot across Route 1.  That parking actually wouldn't be too bad since the buses drop you right at the entrance.

Christmas at Longwood - part 1

Since we have memberships that allow us to get into Longwood Gardens any time, we chose to see the inside part of the Christmas exhibit right when they open at 10 AM.  That worked perfectly since we got a close parking space.

 

Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center

We have subscribed to concerts by the Philly Orchestra on some Friday afternoons.  We take a bus from Crosslands with other residents.  This is the view from our seats.