Bonnie St. Pierre graciously agreed to give out some tips on how to take better nature photos from a canoe or kayak today. Clouds and sun gave us a variety of shooting conditions. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Todays Merrimack River Watershed trip on the Nashua River had a little added value. Trip organizer, Gwen, arranged for a screening of the film "Work of 1000" at Peddler's Daughter after the paddle. The film is a celebration of the work of Marion Stoddart who led the charge for the cleaning of the Nashua River. Had she not taken this task upon herself, we would not be enjoying the clean river we see today.

Hurricane Irene is on her way, but we managed to get in a perfect day of kayaking and nature watching. Diana and Paul from the Brookline Bird Club came along and pointed out so many birds! The first things we saw were a great blue heron and an osprey. Just enough water in the river to get us over or around the many downed trees. The weather held nicely and only started to rain after I got my boat and equipment unloaded and stowed. Thanks to everyone for making this another great day on the water.

Peter U led a very technical trip on the Nashua River today. Diana and Paul from the Brookline Birders came along and helped identify birds. It's amazing how they can spot and identify birds (sometimes by their call only).Only one "swimming" episode. And one tree followed us into a snag making extricating the group a bit of a challenge for Pete! Birds - great blue heron, red start, spotted sandpiper, cedar waxwings, king fisher, king bird, and I'm sure Paul and Diana can add lots more to that list. Thanks everyone!

This year's paddle was on Hopinton Lake in Hopkinton NH. Hot and humid but none of the thunderstorms that were possible. Thanks to everyone who came to help me celebrate - Don, Sue, Beth, Paul, Ted, Herb, Jo, and Ruth

Another nice night for a paddle - great weather, nice group, and ice cream as a follow up!

Wednesday Night Paddle with the AMC - wicked hot, but always nice on the water. Cool enough breeze to make this a nice refreshing paddle! Great group that was into slowing down their busy week.

Another in the Source to the Sea Series of paddles with the Merrimack River Watershed Association. This time we were joined by Marion Stoddart, the remarkable founder of the Nashua River Watershed Council. A hot day, lots of sun, an occasional nice breeze and a chance to paddle a section I haven't done in a long, long time.

Two trips this weekend - Saturday was the York River and Sunday the Merrimack River complete with stories from Chuck! Two beautiful days!

Sue, Beth and I decided to try something new and found a delightful paddle on Tulley Lake/River/Long Pond in the towns of Athol and Royalston, MA.

Sue and I headed out to Dube's Pond in Hooksett and found it completely over run with power boats and water skiers! So we went over to Pawtuckaway Lake with a stop at Mountain Rd Trading Post on the way where we accidentally bought Sue a new boat.

Weather report was for rain all day Saturday and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon but Sunday was supposed to be good so we bucked up and went! Soooo glad we did. Had a perfect weekend. A very brief rain shower late in the day Saturday and early Sunday morning. Then a really nice breeze at our backs on Sunday making for a very pleasant paddle. PLUS our group of 9 was the only one of the beach!

Last November our little group of late season paddlers decided to explore McDaniel's Marsh - a place we'd never been. We found the shallow marsh iced over in many of the farther reaches of the marsh. A return trip was a requirement to see if we could get further up the streams in far end in higher water. We couldn't. But it was a great first paddle for Sue who had wrist surgery 6 weeks ago.

Lots of thunder, lightning, high water, and different adventures.

Forecast was for rain so we chose to do a short paddle on the Nashua River between Morins Landscaping and Stellos Stadium.

Chronicle came up to film a story about the river helped out by some paddlers from MRWC, NH AMC Paddlers, MVP, and NH River Runners. So fun to watch. (I'm not doing it though.) When we arrived at Arms Park we found we were sharing the area with a group of young men who were practicing Parkour - a sport developed in France as an easier way to get from point A to point B according to Dallas B, one of this very talented team.

First trip of the season for me - the Nissitissit River in Brookline, NH. Not much in the way of wildlife, but lots of good folks. Always like paddling with Pete Smith.

Sue, Paul, and I gathered our gumption, layered on warm clothes, donned our Neos and drove out to Topsfield, MA to paddle the Ipswich River and claim our December Paddle.

Today's temperature was in the mid 40's, my morning client did not need me today, and I was able to convince Donald that we should go out for a quick paddle. Only need to paddle once in January and once in February and I'll have paddled in New England in all 12 months!

Didn't look like too promising of a day when we got up, but the sun came our and it got to the mid forties (I think) and so our planned paddle on the Nashua River was a go. We did the section between Pepperell at the covered bridge and Alpine Grove in Nashua. Good current, a few shallow spots and some excitement when Maureen paddled right up on a rock, but no one got wet!

Weather was predicted to be excellent today and we felt we were due for a good paddle for a change and so.... Participants of today's paddle were Don, Sue, Maureen, Beth, and Paul. Don's first "ice" paddle.

Decided to try a section of the Powwow River in Kingston, NH

Somehow trip leader Phil managed to hold off the morning rain and the really bad afternoon wind to provide us all with a great day on the water. Other than a few gusts we had a good day and the clouds only made the foliage pop that much more. Pot luck had just the right mix of dishes and desserts, so everyone was happy! Thanks to everyone who came and contributed to another good time!

AMC Paddle on Grafton Pond in the shadow of Mount Cardagan. Some nice fall color and some great places to explore - just never enough time!