This week we are experiencing the first really hot days of the summer. Tuesday had a high of 92 on the thermometer that I can see from my desk. I guess summer is really here to stay. My summer has been very busy already and next week is nearly full with a good variety of striper fishing and canoe trips. I am planning to take the 4th off to attend the parade and chicken barbecue in Thomaston. I hope to see you all there.
Seven Tree and Round Ponds
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I spent several days in the last week on Seven Tree and Round Ponds. A sunset canoe trip, a bird watching canoe trip, a few family fishing trips and a learn to fly fish experience all had me on those ponds. On the sunset trip we were treated to a pair of eagles perched across the cove as we ate dinner. I'm not sure who was watching who because not much seemed to escape the eagles' watchful eyes. I was amazed that they stayed the entire time we were there. I assume that their nesting was not successful this spring because they did not seem to be thinking about fishing steadily to feed eaglets. The young eagles from last year are around as well and I have seen them on other trips.
Turkey Surprise
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I stopped to fish a ledge down on the salt water and a turkey flew out of the trees on the bank (I guess frightened by our arrival in the boat) I am sure that she thought it would be a short flight followed by a quick touch down. Much to the turkeys surprise she had flown out over the river where it was about a mile wide. On the initial glide down she nearly went into the water but realized that landing was not a good idea (do you suppose that they can swim?) a great flapping of wings got some altitude for another glide down. She continued that way all across the river gliding down after maybe a hundred yards or so; a frantic flapping of wings and more altitude. I watched carefully and she did make the far shore but I can't imagine that the return trip was on the mornings agenda.
On a bird watching trip last week we saw a number of interesting species including a bright orange Baltimore oriole who sat and sang in easy view. I was hoping to show those clients the loons and we did hear them calling but when I went to look for them I could not find them anywhere. We saw a bunch of warbler species and several different sparrows. Birds you simply do not notice unless you take the time to look carefully for them.
On Sunday I was teaching fly fishing and because of the strong west wind chose the stretch of the St. George between the ponds because much of it is sheltered from that wind. The fishing was not the best but there were enough fish of various species to keep even a beginner interested. We were treated to many great blue herons standing on the shore fishing, and of course because I was not looking for them the loons were visible a good part of the afternoon.
