With record high temperatures and a snowstorm slated for Thursday, I took advantage of the clement conditions to set a canoe in the singing waters of the Wisconsin River.  Plenty of sunshine and light winds made for a pleasant morning.  I departed from the Muscoda landing with a bit of an adrenaline rush.  Paddling solo (or even tandem) in January is not recommended for all but very experienced canoeists.  Even so, proper safety precautions and vigilance are required. 

I was blessed by numerous eagle sightings.  The cacophony of the ubiquitous crows and the perturbed honking of resident geese were among the sounds heard.  The chirping of the chickadees and nuthatches gathering by birdfeeders faded as I paddled past the residences along Effigy Mounds Drive.  A watchful eagle peeted from across the river.  A new eagle nest at the Ho-Chunk mound group was observed while the next on the south side of the river was guarded by the current tenant.  And, I’m pretty sure I saw a golden eagle near the mouth of Mill Creek (formerly known as Eagle Creek), uncommon for these parts but seen occasionally.  A furbearing mammal along the shoreline could have been a mink but I was looking directly into the sun so…maybe.  Another spectacular trip on the beautiful lower Wisconsin River.

Incidentally, I had the river all to myself (except for my avian brethren).  A January paddle is definitely good for the soul.

(Click here to view pictures.)