Grand Valley

Energy and Vibrance

9/15/2024, water R, 65stingray, 10:15-12:00 Wind: 7mph from EOC: 6+/7 Gorgeous constant breeze rustles and flickers leavesGentle hush of crickets and grasshoppers surroundsNo evidence of geese except sprinkling of feathers on water’s surfaceGoldenrod, boneset and delicate aster, fill the OG Sandbar of 1NDoor-creaking cormorants sounds from their trusty 1N perchesBrilliant sheen of wind-textured watersMany shadows …

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Watching Autumn Emerge

9/9/2024, water R, 65stingray, 4:00-6:00pm Wind: 6mph from WOC: 6+ Slight more yellow in the banks with hints of emerging orangeWater levels continue to drop:-scrape along the beginning of 4SE-scrape along much of the channel under 1/2 Bridge-1SS ledge: just above malleolus-1SE tire fully exposed-taller cormorant perches-tip of spool exposed-tip of one NW drain pipe …

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Paddling on Brilliant, Vibrant Sparkles

9/1/2024, water R, 65stingray, 9:30 Wind: 7mph from WOC: 8 Gentle hush of crickets fills the airSlaps of jumping fishGorgeous brilliant sparklesSo sweet the scent in 4SCrystal clear waters reveal deep diving turtlesThree cormorants waiting on designated perchesSuch breathtaking BeautyMagnificently stunning waterTurtle found the tip of a newly exposed IslandFlock of geese fly by overhead, …

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Peace in a Turbulent World

8/30/2024, water L, 65stingray, 2:45-4:30 Wind: 7mph from SWOC: 7 Subtle yellows emerging in treesSoft rustling of grasses and leaves along banks1-2 channel under bridge getting narrower1N islands growing biggerFew leaves float quietly on water’s surfaceChoreographed turtle slides from island rocks into waterNew cormorant babies! Now family of fiveMother spreads wings over floating babies with …

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Breathtaking to Paddle on Top of Clouds

8/24/2024, water R, 65stingray, 9:00-10:50am Wind: 3mph from SOC: 7 Misty morningGlistening grassesSweetest scent feels the airGorgeous water, thinly coated with pollen and lifeSporadic splashes of jumping fishBig Blue Heron tracks in the shallow muddy bottomHeron waits on tiny 1N IslandCormorant on his typical postWater levels dropping-1N exposed tree: just above mid calf-Top of 1SE …

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Cicada Rhythms

8/8/2024, water R, 65stingray, 4:00-6:00pm Wind: 12mph from SOC: 6 Wind and clouds deepen waterCicadas rhythms vibrate and rattle treesSweet Clover scent fills 4SEOsprey visits 1N todayTurtles still devouring what’s left of the bloated fawn

Hot, Hot, Breezy

8/6/2024, water L, 65stingray, 4:15-6:00pm Wind: 8mph from SWOC: 7 Hot hot, breezy summer afternoonPoor floating Fawn, surrounded by turtlesVultures circle aboveThree cormorants today in 1NKingfishers shoot like pistolsOsprey couple is back to visitNo sign of geese anywhere aroundTurtles pop up and floatBig copper dragonflies patrolWater levels still slightly droppingHundreds of purple martins with impressive …

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Such Calm And Peace

7/30/2024, water R, 65stingray, 3:00-5:10 12:00 Wind: 8mph from WOC: 6/6+ Gorgeous lovely scent feels the entire lake valleyCicadas and crickets resound in 1NCormorant hops off his 1N perch to keep a distanceWater levels continue to slightly sinkLarge, inflated, decapitated floating turtle 🙁Turkey vultures soar above effortlesslyGeese float silentlySuch calm and peace on a hot …

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Trees bursting

7/20/2024, water R, 65stingray, 10:00- 12:00 Wind: 3mph from NEOC: 7 Trees bursting with rattling cicadasShadows of paddlefishWhite Downy feathers sit on top of still watersGleaming sun follows along Shining surfaceSweetest scent in 4SEPurple Martin’s Glide just above and diveGreen Heron lifts from the banks of 2N and another in 1NWater level has dropped a …

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Crickets Chime

7/12/2024, water L, 65stingray, 4:15pm Wind: 4mph from WOC: 7 Beautiful surrounding greens reflect perfectlyGreeted by sweetest herbal scentFlock of purple martins plan their divesBubbles rise from depths belowTurtles dive deep downPeace and calm after rainCormorant waves from tiny island with wings spreadGreen Heron hunts in 2, then hops over into 1 and backThunking splashes …

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