Nice Day Paddling, Some Interesting Shopping and Some Shovel Work

Friday October 23, 2015 Jenner CA.

Paddling the Russian River

When I arrived at Jenner this morning it was overcast, but the sun was breaking through. I paddled across the river to Penny Island and looked down towards the closed river’s mouth area. A great blue heron and a seal in the water.

Which way to go today

I decided to head up the river. There was a number of harbor seals hunting just up from the visitor center. I watched for about a half hour, but didn’t see what they were eating. I think it was some smaller type fish that they could eat under the water. The seagull was waiting for scraps and I saw it stick it’s bill under water a couple of times, so I think it was getting some goodies.

I headed up along the north side of Penny Island.

And crossed over the little channel at the upper end and sat here for a spell just enjoying the day.

Biologist types

Eventually, I continued on up to Eagle’s landing where I saw these two ladies getting some measurements so stopped to talk for a bit. It was Kate and Robin from the Bodega Marine labs. They were pretty busy so I didn’t stay long and continued on up the river.

I pushed some coots out of my spot here at the Muskrat Nest area and sat for awhile.

Some splashes

I heard a couple splashes off to my right so took a look. I saw a splash which I think was an otter, so went out in the river a bit to see if I could spot them, but I didn’t, so I paddled across the river to the north side and went down along it looking for birds and things, as it’s a good place to find things resting along the shoreline.

I went by these cows. Note the horse up on the skyline.

Continuing along this little pied billed grebe popped up in front of me. They dive for food.

I found some wild turkeys, three males feeding in the grasses. Here’s one of them.

And these geese were feeding just past the turkeys.

The last bird I saw was this great blue heron just resting.

Jenner

This was my view of the little town of Jenner as the great blue heron took off in front of me.

Kingfisher

I crossed the river back over to Penny Island and was paddling along when I spotted this elusive kingfisher sitting on this log. Would it take off before I could get a picture of it. Not this time.

I paddled on down to the lower end of Penny Island and started across towards the river’s mouth area. I could see the ocean waves breaking on the rocks by the jetty.

There were some seagulls and brown pelicans resting in the area.

I thought this one might run over me, but it veered off at the last instant.

I hung around the mouth area for awhile then headed on back to the boat ramp and pulled my boat out for the day and headed on home.

Some shopping

On the way home, I stopped in Guerneville at the Safeway to do some shopping.

At the checkout the bagging lady asked if I wanted to buy a ten cent bag. I said no, just put them in the basket as I’ve been taught by Costco as that’s what they do.

She says, are you sure, people put dogs in the basket. I said the foods already been in the basket so what’s the point? She says I hope you have a good immune system. I said I grew up playing in the dirt, so I think I do. I shoulda said, you let people put their dogs in a food basket? Hummmmmmmmmmmmm.

Luckily most of the food comes in good packages anyway.

Shovel work

I went on home and went over to shovel some dirt in my pipe ditches to cover them up. I shoveled just enough to cover the pipes then filled the ditch up with water to compact the dirt around the pipes. I’ll  shovel more dirt in it later as I don’t want to overdo it with my sore back. As it was, that kicked my butt.

The rest of the day was spent on the couch taking it easy.

That was my day.