MBCKC Paddle Reports

Savages Ditch
Bob Andrews had an old friend visit last week. Bob wanted to show him the spring flowers in Savage's Ditch. I met Bob, Julie Day, and the visiting couple (names escape me) at River Docs at 5pm. This time of day was absolutely perfect with just a slight overcast and light north wind. The mile wide crossing of Chocolata (actually named Chacaloochee Bay) was uneventful. Once in Savage's Ditch, we were in a protected winding waterway. Soon it became evident that both the Spider Lilies and the Blue Flag Iris were in a riot! Bob remarked that he'd never in 30 years seen the Blue Flag in such profuse bloom. The Spider Lilies were exploding too. Patches of Spider Lilies were everywhere, sometimes up to an acre. The Blue Flag were often in large banks scattered all along the ditch. Once we came out on Conway Creek, the display was a bit muted but still awesome. Overall, this was one of the most spectacular wildflower blooms I've ever seen in the delta. Up in Big Bateau Bay, Bob took us to a small 40 yds across) lake at the end of a winding little offshoot from Big Bateau. Raucous rails and other waterbirds gave us a piece of their minds. Only Bob would know where this place is. The light turned magic while we were in there with the sun almost setting. The skyline of Mobile became prominent on the west horizon. It emphasized what a real treasure that we have right in our back yard. As Julie remarked, "...and most people don't even know it's there". We stopped a bit to enjoy the show before crossing Chocolata back to River Docs. This is a "DON'T MISS" paddle in the 2nd week of April. Put it on your calendar for this week (before they're gone) or for next year. It will be worth it I promise.I took a bunch of pics and have put them in my on-line gallery. You can look at them at http://gallery.me.com/twmeyer1#100048You'll notice that some photos are the original unaltered shot followed by my "tweaking" of the image. Please indulge my artistic compulsions. I hope you find them pleasant to view.Tom Meyer