Canoe The Ozarks

Spring Time on the Big Piney/April 2011

The commencement of spring on the river also welcomes new arrivals of many songbirds.
These merry messengers have traveled a great distance to sing their spirited songs that soar from the Maker’s code.

Some of the earliest arrivals include:  Woodthrush; Swallows; Indigo Buntings; Phoebes(here long before April).  And four different Warblers:  Yellow-throated; Parula; Black & White; LA Water thrush.

Their beautiful songs are a sweet celebration, a sacred ritual of life that feels like a contemplative, community prayer that is heard up and down every stretch of the river.

Songbirds can be difficult to view at a close distance, so learning their songs and calls beckons with still more curiosity and wonder.  But don’t forget your binoculars, you’re bound to see some of these beauties flitting around the lower branches of trees that are right next to or hanging over the river.

And be ready for some great visuals on and above the river with a couple of my fishing friends, Mr. Osprey and the Belted Kingfisher.

The Osprey, sometimes called the Fish Hawk or Fish Eagle, is a raptor that soars 50 to 200 feet above the river.  Once they have sighted their fish, they will hover a bit before they dive feet first into the water.  Often times they will submerge themselves except for their wings.
I’ll always remember the first time I saw an Osprey flying above the river.  He had already caught a fish which was carefully clutched in his talons in an
aerodynamically correct position. Truly fascinating!
He winged his way down the river with a sizable lunch that left me beaming with admiration and feeling a little envious.
Only a few minutes later, we quickly pulled over and immediately prepared lunch(it comes in a can and it’s great with hot sauce and crackers J)

The other fishing specialist, Mr. Kingfisher, is found on most of the Ozark streams in Missouri.  He glides above the river with a call that could be described as a “rattling chit, chit, chit.”  You can often spot them perched on snags or trees hanging over the river and they are very territorial.  They  too will hover just before they splash into the water head first to snatch small fish and crayfish.

The Kingfisher is aptly named and I always enjoy watching him glide low and fast just above the river with elegance and ease.  And that rattling call he makes reminds me it’s his domain, but I’m welcome to pass through…

Red Sky at Night, Canoeist's Delight

As late afternoon turns to evening, I’m thinking about another companion on the river.  One who will serenade us with another song of spring as dusk turns to nightfall.

He only knows one song, but it’s one for the ages.

Some say it’s lonely, some say it’s haunting, some say it’s beautiful.
I’m not sure how it makes me feel until the next time I hear it.  I only know that I long to hear it again…

(just a few lines of inspiration from:  Ozark Mountain Daredevils)

“Oh, Whippoorwill,

Are you high upon the hill

While my feet are on the ground

Oh, Whippoorwill

You make my heart stand still

When I hear your evening sound…
____________________________

It’s a great song that takes me to the river.
And,
if the moon is shining on the hills, Mr. Whippoor-
will croon deep into the night…

Happy Spring,
Peace on the River

by William Hughes.