July 19, 2008

Green, Green Lane

(shot with Sony DSC-P200)
(view other photo essays)

It's really convenient to be able to simply throw a paddle into the car and drive on out to Green Lane, where my boat lies ready for use. I can attend to other chores, pay visits along the way. But the last couple of visits to Green Lane have been less than pleasant (even when not chased off the water by thunderheads). The water quality leaves a lot to be desired. The water is green, smells strongly biotic and just generally doesn't offer much of an experience you'd call "fun." When I get back from Nockamixon, I always launder my wet clothes and gear, but I don't necessarily feel that I have to. Any return from Green Lane leaves no doubt. Shoes, towels, anything that has gotten wet has to go in the washer. Your nose tells you this.

As I had done before, I decided to explore the coastline of the upper part of the lake;
this time moving out clockwise from the boat park off Walt Road.


After an hour and a half, I had reached a point about even with the protected eagle habitat.
It was pushing 4 in the afternoon, the clouds were thickening, a breeze was building
and I was just tired of plowing through soupy green water. I made a beeline back
to the boat park and packed it in.



Here's an early shot of heading into one of the little estuarial fingers that form the
shoreline. This is very shallow water and, my paddle frequently lifted silt from the bottom.
As I had seen before, mud-dwelling fish - most likely catfish - lurked everywhere
raising plumes of redder murk as they fled whenever I got too near.



The water, even out over the deeper part of the lake, is a uniform gray-green in color.
It smells green and vegetal and offers little in the way of "refreshment."



Looking back toward the boat park where a brother and sister team deploy their blue
recreational kayaks.



Washed up in one of the shallow coves, I happened on this partially submerged
partially disassembled raft. It seemed a pretty decent effort and I have no idea
whether those who built it had gotten any use from it before abandoning it to the elements.
Building a raft is one way to escape the park's onerous quarantine restriction!





Here's one other kayaker braving the murky water.



More shallows, weeds and a possible feeder stream.



Here's an island, about as small as one can be.



There isn't too much in the way of obvious development around the lake.
This house must offer a lovely view to its residents.



Looking back toward the boat park (left-center) from about my furthest penetration down
the lake. You can see a small bass boat with a pair of fishermen to right of center.



And here's the Pamlico, back at the landing.




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