Monday -- May 2, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 59

The last of the shingles were moved from the island today. Tryon rented a truick and with help from Gerry Barton we moved the last two truckloads.

Wednesday -- May 4, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 57

Kaylen found a dead blue-gray knat catcher. We felt sorry for the bird but it was cool to get a close look at this tiny bird(it is smaller than a chickadee)and marvel at its many knat-catching adaptations.

There is an osprey nest somewhere above Ruppert's island I'm hoping that a paddle in that direction will clue me in to it's where-a-bouts.

I was just watching the mallards in the channel going through their mating rituals. I was confused at first because it looked as if a drake was trying to mate with another drake but I soon realized that jumping on the back of a rival in an attempt to hold them under water was the preferred method to dissuade other suitors. It was rather comical to watch the four drakes flapping their wings along the water's surface taking turns dunking each other. The one female, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with this. She would escape the raucous by plunging below the surface and staying hidden for surprisingly long periods of time.

We found a canoe on Sunday. It's a cute little red one made of thin fiberglass about 14 feet long and it's in pretty good shape except for the gunwales. I say we found it but in a way it was given to us. I first saw the boat laying in the grass by the lower parking lot as I made my way to the island on Sunday morning. There were people around it and I assumed that someone had just finished a paddle and was waiting for a shuttle. Much later that evening the boat was still there so I decided to take a closer look. Inside were paddles, a life vest, and a mesh sack complete with car carrying pads, knee pads and a bailer. We puzzled over this for a minute until someone noticed a letter-sized piece of paper under one of the paddles. Written on the paper in very large letters was the word FREE. Instantly we became more attached to the canoe and we wondered how it had gotten there and what kind of history was behind this old boat. We appreciated its simple design and decided that with a little work it could be the perfect canoe for my solo excursions. I easily carried the lightweight canoe down to the island, happy to have a new boat and happy to give this boat a new home. I like to think that this is what the previous owners wanted and to them we say "thanks for the canoe"!

We put up a zip-line. It's a cable that runs between two trees at about eight feet off the ground. On the cable is a little trolley with handles so that you can grab the trolley and get an adrenaline pumping ride of about fifty feet as you fly from one tree platform to the other.

Saturday -- May 6, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.0     Water Temperature: 59

I took my parents for a bird watching canoe trip around Ruppert's. We were hoping to find the osprey nest but no such luck. We did spot an oriole and quite a few king birds were at the head of Ruppert's busy defending their territory. We also saw a lot of swallows and martins.

I've been cleaning out some of the old unused lockers. Most of them have a thick layer of dirt on the bottom, sediment from floods long ago. I even moved some of the rusty pieces of junk out of the locker room and put them under the shed.

Saturday -- May 7, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.8     Water Temperature: 68

I hope everyone had a great weekend. The island was beautiful this weekend. It wasn't too busy but some people did camp out on Sunday night.

It is strangely quiet here now without the geese squabbling all the time. Who knows where they go but the geese have left the nursery that is Sycamore island.

There are many snakes out now and they can be bold too. Alan Gelb told me that a big black snake crawled right through the middle of his dinner party here one day causing quite a panic as the guests rushed to get out of its way.

Tuesday -- May 10, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.7     Water Temperature: 62

We had a big day here on Sunday. Several people brought their mothers down for Mother's Day and the island was hoping. All the grills were smoking and it was hard to find an empty picnic table. We played horseshoes and frisbee, and after I cut down the bluebells the played a rousing game of kickball.

We see orioles and prothonotary warblers daily now and the green heron has found a favorite fishing spot under the ferry steps. Almost all of the goose eggs are hatched mow but the nest by the club house is still occupied.

Wednesday -- May 11, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.7     Water Temperature: 65

It's time to mow down all the bluebell plants and get this place ready for the big race. I heard that Angus Phillips sent out an open invitation to the entire region in his article last week so I'm thinking I better be ready for a big crowd. If any one wants to volunteer that day I'm sure that we would all appreciate the help.

I hear and see the yellow-billed cuckoo now.

Thursday -- May 12, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6     Water Temperature: 68

Big turn out for the meeting last night, most people I've seen at a meeting ever. There must have been close to forty people there.

I just saw three green-backed herons flying together above the ferry. Its rare to see more than one at a time.

The eggs in the phoebe nest have hatched. I can't tell if there is more than one chick in the nest but there is at least one that has hatched.

Tuesday -- May 17, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6     Water Temperature: 68

We had the Down River Race here on Sunday and it was great to have so many people enjoying the island. I was surprised that there weren't more Island members here to represent the club but over all I think the race was a big success. I enjoyed meeting some of the local celebrities and canoeing legends that came out to support the CCA.

Wednesday -- May 18, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.5     Water Temperature: 67

Being the artistic bunch that we are, there are three members down here with an art class this morning. They are busy painting water color landscapes with a teacher from Glen Echo. I was lucky enough to sit in on a lesson on painting water.

I noticed something exciting while on the dock watching the painters, two bald eagles sitting across the river near their nest! I also saw a large red tailed hawk and two mallards standing on the newly emerged rocks in the middle of the river.

Thursday -- May 19, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.5     Water Temperature: 68

The reptiles are out. We see the(very large)black snake daily, the three-lined skinks with their blue stripes duck for cover when we walk up the board walk and the water snakes can be seen sunning on a rock or making a wake as they cross the slough with their little heads sticking out of the water. There aren't many turtles around the island but we do have toads.

I just finished replacing the broken thwarts on the club canoes. The wood gets so wet and rotted on the wooden pieces that the bolts break right through. There were four that needed replacing.

Friday -- May 20, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6     Water Temperature: 65

The forecast for the weekend isn't looking too good. I hope it changes since there is a group of scouts camping out here on Saturday. The Gelbs also have a large graduation party planned for Saturday as well.

We saw two little baby ground hogs emerge from under the house yesterday. I'm afraid we do have a breeding pair of woodchucks living here. I just hope they don't threaten my well or the structure of the club house. I wonder if they should be relocated somewhere off the island.

Sunday -- May 22, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.0     Water Temperature: 64

Nobody volunteered for caretaker duty yesterday but the members that were here graciously pitched in to run the ferry and all was well.

The girl scouts spent the night in the club house last night and had an exciting time encountering multitudes of wild creatures including a large black. Judging by the worried faces of the girls I don't think that the snake will be forgotten soon and will likely be the subject of dramatic story-telling on the playground tomorrow.

Monday -- May 23, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.9     Water Temperature: 65

I had the pleasure of holding a little gosling yesterday. It became seperated from its family giving me a chance to pet the little fuzz ball before returning it to its mother.

The fish still aren't biting. Several lines in the water yesterday but nothing to show for it.

Tuesday -- May 24, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.4     Water Temperature: 66

I saw the ground hogs again and this time I saw the whole family at once, mommy, daddy and two babies,sitting under the steps just outside the men's locker room.

Wednesday -- May 25, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.5     Water Temperature: 64

I saw the eagles by their nest again yesterday.

Thursday -- May 26, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.3     Water Temperature: 60

Friday -- May 27, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.4     Water Temperature: 64

This morning as we boarded the ferry we noticed a large mother beaver waddling down the steps at the ferry landing carrying a mouth full of greens. We watched as she plunked into the water and then noticed two little pups playing at the entrance to the den, probably waiting for mom to bring them breakfast.

Tuesday -- May 31, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.8     Water Temperature: 68

I hope everyone had a great weekend. The island was beautiful this weekend. It wasn't too busy but some people did camp out on Sunday night.

It is strangely quiet here now without the geese squabbling all the time. Who knows where they go but the geese have left the nursery that is Sycamore island.

There are many snakes out now and they can be bold too. Alan Gelb told me that a big black snake crawled right through the middle of his dinner party here one day causing quite a panic as the guests rushed to get out of its way.