It could not have been a more perfect day for a float down the Raccoon River. The water was amazingly clear, the sun was bright, and there was not a cloud in the sky. The cool fall temperature felt great, and no mosquitoes or flies bothered us as Joe Warnock, Dr. Steve Sohn and I quietly paddled down the river.
The foliage on the trees was spectacular. The maples overhanging the river were a yellow- green, while the oaks on the hillside were auburn red and golden bronze. Occasionally, an elm tree was seen in the woods, showing leaves that were still green.
At the first log jam, downstream from the Perry Boat Ramp, we startled three wood ducks that were feeding in the still water. They exploded from the wood pile with flapping wings and high-pitched whistling calls as they flew downstream away from us. I think we saw the same group several times as we continued down the river.
A small group of great blue herons were also feeding along the river bank. Seeing one of the herons catch a small fish was a thrill. When we came near them, they also flew downstream, and like the ducks we saw them several times.
Both the ducks and the herons had the markings of juvenile birds. They were using their instincts to migrate south to their winter feeding areas. The Raccoon River is an important green corridor for migrating birds, and outdoor enthusiasts use it for kayaking and fishing.
We also saw animals that do not migrate. Fox squirrels were scampering over the leaf litter on the forest floor, looking for walnuts and acorns to hide in their winter food caches. One squirrel climbed a tree near the river’s edge and watched us float past. We also observed two red-tailed hawks, soaring through the sky and looking for prey.
For me the joy of every trip on the river is seeing a bald eagle. This trip did not disappoint me. I saw adults and juvenile eagles. Sometimes they flew when our boats approached them, but occasionally they would sit on the limb of a large cottonwood tree and watch us float under them. They seemed to be posing for my camera.
At the end of our eight-mile trip, we all agreed that the natural beauty we saw on the river float was spectacular. We hope there are a few more days this fall that will allow us to paddle our kayaks on the Raccoon River.
