Alarms went off early this morning and by 6:30am eight had gathered at the boat launch on Slab City Road to paddle on Heald Pond.
It took a few minutes, but eventually all of us were floating above the dam site.
We paddled rather quietly at first, being mindful that our voices would carry across the water and neighbors may not care to be up at such an early hour.
The lighting changed as we approached open water and followed docent Pam in her yellow kayak.
Joining Pam on the far right, were from left to right: Jo R., Anne I., Janet S. Intern Audra H., Kim S., GLLT Executive Director Erika Rowland. , and me—hiding behind the scenes.
Our journey took us slowly up the western shore of the pond, which is owned in entirety by Greater Lovell Land Trust and known as the Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve. It was there that we discovered we weren’t the only ones enjoying the morning sun as periodically we saw Painted Turtles basking on logs and rocks.
For a while, our attention was pulled from the shoreline by the antics of four loons. We had heard that two chicks had hatched recently, but we never caught sight of them and wondered what that meant.
Eventually we reached Otter Rock and realized that it takes on a different perspective from the water.
Only two days prior, Lovell Rec kids who had joined us for a nature hike caught and released frogs and toads from the other side of the rock.
Around the bend from the rock we discovered the first Cardinal Flowers of the season and then continued to spot them for the rest of the trip to the north end. Their redness always brings such joy. We also spied lots of Speckled Alder, a few Flowering Dogwoods, and even Hobblebush with berries.
What is probably a fifteen minute paddle to the north end where a stream that flows from Bradley Pond reaches Heald, took us well over an hour. But it was a delightful hour. We couldn’t maneuver up the stream because it’s blocked by an old beaver dam and filled with large boulders. And so this became our turn-around point.
From the north, we looked south and took in the pond all the way to the late John Fox’s house.
And then we followed the eastern shore, scooting quickly past homes and camps so as not to disturb the residents. At the wetland though, we stopped to explore and take in the view of Whiting Hill rising across the way.
And Amos Mountain from a different perspective.
The wetland was full of life, including a dozen Canada Geese enjoying a morning forage of Pickerel Weed.
When a duck approached a few of us debated: Mallard or American Black Duck. I noted that sometimes I’ve been with birders who spy a sord (group) of Mallards on water and someone will point out that there is one Black Duck in the crowd. I’ve yet to know which one that is. Today’s single duck, and I’m going out on a feather here as I look at information in the Sibley Field Guide, is a Mallard. I think. Based on the fact that its bill was orangish with a dark center (B.D.: greenish-yellow bill); the neck wasn’t heavily streaked; and the body plumage wasn’t blackish-brown. That said, they do hybridize. And I’m not a great birder.
Before heading back to the launch we took one last look at the field of Pickerel Weeds and then knew that it was time for our morning adventure to come to a close.
Two and a half hours after beginning, our time together came to an end and we helped each other pull the boats out. If you go, know that there is a quick drop-off between launch and pond depth and it’s a bit tricky to disembark gracefully. Thankfully, we all managed without mishap.
One of the wonderful things that we love to watch develop during hikes and paddles we offer is that folks arrive as strangers and depart as friends, having spent time sharing an experience. Today was no different. And while we paddled some asked about Bradley Pond, which set off an idea for next year: Connect the dots. Week 1: Paddle Bradley Pond. Week 2: Hike along Perky’s Path. Week 3: Paddle Heald Pond.
Another wonderful thing about these excursions is that sometimes we realize we aren’t the only ones on dawn patrol and we have our leader, Pam M., to thank not only for sharing the wonders of Heald Pond, but also for capturing a Hummingbird at one of the Cardinal Flowers.