Cumberland, Lincoln & Central Falls, Rhode Island
I call September one of the changing months; the slow pace of August gives way to the faster pace of September in nature as well as our lives. The heat of summer gives way to the brisk air of autumn. The rafting waterfowl now are on the move south, the small mammals running helter-skelter through the woods gathering their winter stores and us trying to race and catch it all. Live the Experience!
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We just finished our first whole season of
paddling the Blackstone River and we have seen the
Blackstone at its best and worst. Do to the drought this
summer; the water levels this month were at an all time
low. Because of this, we paddled the whole month in the
Valley Falls area of the Blackstone River. Even though we
stayed in the same area for the month we got to watch
nature change at a fast pace. The summer colors of green,
purple and white changed into yellow, red and brown of
fall. There has been a changing of the guard with the
wildlife in the area. Daily sighting of deer, turtles,
osprey and great blue heron, have given way to migrating
Canada Geese, mallards, turkey vultures and chickadees.
Our mute swans and kingfishers are still there and a
cormorant has taken up residence in hidden pond. He
greets us each trip, roosting on the partly submerged
tree at the entrance to the pond. Check out our gallery
for his very photogenic pictures, he’s quite the ham.
Mark has timed the cormorant a couple of times as it
dives underwater to chance a meal and he can hold it’s
breath for over 2 ½ minutes before resurfacing.