A Stop Along the Peconic River

The sweet water of the Peconic River eventually flows through Riverhead then in two more miles it empties into the Great Peconic Bay, a salt water estuary.   It is at the mouth of the Peconic River where the North and South Forks begin.   After visiting the East End Art Council's Riverhead gallery, we stopped at river's edge to photograph glistening, ice covered bushes, brambles, trees and phragmites.  Even a low sky masking much of the sunlight couldn't hide the beauty of the scene before us... a wealth of grays with a touch of gold.

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Water Fowl

Birds that live upon and get sustenance from salt water tend to be large as adults and usually gregarious. Some species are vegetarian. Many of us have seen hundreds of Canadian Geese in a field foraging or resting on the water. I've often seen several swan families following each other about. The cormorant (picture 3) is more of a loner although they sometimes group when drying their wings at half mast. Equally at home in fresh and saltwater they are voracious fishers whom the Chinese often use from boats, a line about their throats so that they can catch but not swallow their prey. They are very sleek and can dive to great depths. Sometimes I wonder if they'll ever come up!

It would be hard to find a sight more precious than a baby swan (signet) still wobbly, just getting used to the world.

Fishermen

Young and old fishermen alike will do almost anything to have a little time by or on the water, rod in hand with hopes for a "keeper". There's nothing to compare with eating a just-caught fish. Many times no fish are caught let alone seen, but when done one can go back home relaxed, maybe now having the answer to something that had been troubling, figured out in the solitude of the quest, looking into the water and seeing one's soul.

The Peconic Herb Farm and other photos

We took a short drive, 15 miles, to the Peconic Herb Farm in Riverhead. Riverhead is so named as it's location is at the head of the Peconic River, where it runs into and becomes the bay. The Herb Farm is a quaint place kept rustic, restful and informal. There are places to picnic on the grounds. There used to be places to get poison ivy there too but I didn't see any this year. The shop has some snacks, and there are sodas in the cooler that I thought no longer existed. We liked the fact that no one was in a hurry, there was plenty of business but not what you'd call "brisk". A most pleasant afternoon.

quiet by the Peconic River