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January 29, 1998 - Braving the Bay on a Cold Winter Day6A • The Suffolk Times • January 29, 1998 Braving the Bay on a Cold Winter Day The wind had died down and the gray sky above was doing its best to squeeze out an occasional snowflake. The kind of day when few would venture out, but then my son and grandson had different ideas. They were all fired up to take the canoe out and paddle out around the bay. Before any of us could change FOCUS, our minds we had the canoe lashed On down on the pick- up and we were Mature heading for our b Pahl favorite launching Y spot at the end of Stoutenburgh the road nearby. As I backed the pickup down I could see ducks in the creek behind us, small white and black ducks that seemed to be enjoying a diving spree: buffleheads, those plump little ducks that are found in most of our creeks during the winter months. Our getting out of the pickup scared them off and they were soon up and away, only to land far down the creek to start their diving again. In no time we were in the canoe, life jackets in place. Each dripping paddle moved us on silently through the water as the canoe headed out toward the bay. How clear the water was. We could see right through it but nothing moved be- low its glassy surface. The only signs of life were small black mud snails that peppered the still bottom. We disturbed a great blue heron that was waiting for the warmth of the day to thaw him out. He reminded me of one of those statues you see on people's lawns, sort of life- less and sad. Evidently the night's cold had penetrated him deeply. Winter Divers The bay was glass -like and here and there on its surface a loon or two would pop up, look around and then dive silently back into its dark underwater world. Now in their winter garb, they presented themselves as dark silhou- ettes, a sharp contrast to their white - speckled bodies and spotted necklaces of summer plumage. Farther out a group of oldsquaw ducks played and dove with thoughts of things to come. Some had already paired off and were by themselves diving for their next meal. We passed under a large dock that juts out into the bay. It was all so easy. We paddled across the cove to Meadow Beach, where we put ashore to stretch our legs. The grandson, full of explorer's ambition, walked and ran ahead picking MATTITUCK SANITATION EAST END ECOLOGY LTD. 800 WICKHAM AVE. MATTITUCK, NY John DiVello & Sons RESIDENTIAL r i COMMERCIAL GARBOLOGISTS Container Service 1 yd. through S yd. Roll-Off Service 15 yd. through 30 yd. 298 -8888 Serving Riverhead & Southold Township up beach treasures along the way. His first great treasure was a huge swan egg that had been left behind or perhaps the nest was flooded or washed away by some great storm and somehow it ended up here on the beach. I could see my grandson was having trouble with these explanations, but it was soon forgotten as he added more treasures. This time it was a gull's wing. Evidently Mr. Fox had enjoyed the other parts. We passed under the skeletal remains of last year's osprey nest. It seemed strange and out of place in this wintry setting. Then I remem- bered it wouldn't be long before they would be back and that some- how seemed to make everything right. Truly they are great travelers, having probably spent the winter in the Amazon or thereabouts. The best part of the trip was when the omi- nous gray clouds that had followed us opened up and gave us a confet- ti dusting of huge snowflakes. Down they came, lazily drifting around, a delight to the grandson who tried to collect them on his out- stretched tongue. I found myself doing the same thing, remembering the joy of youthful suc- cess long ago. We paused in a silent world of falling snow. The reflections of these big white petals of snow fascinated us as we watched their reflections move across the surface of the water, only to meet themselves and dissolve in the mirrored water. Others drifted down to take their place, only to be swallowed up by the waiting waters of the bay. Coming back we scared up 20 or 30 black ducks that were resting on the beach. Ducks, like people, need time to rest. Many of our ducks feed during the night, some in our creeks, some in the farmers' fields. When daylight comes they retreat to safe places to rest. I've also seen them resting on the water when it's not too windy. Some of these flocks will number in the hundreds, all facing into the wind, heads turned and resting on their backs. There's always one that has his eyes open and is alert extra going back onto the pasture. To gain the most from this rich additive I turn it under when time permits and to- day time permitted. And so, I was out turning over the soil and burying the secret to my gardening success. Usually at this time of the year this would be impossible because of the frozen ground. Not so today. My shovel had little trou- ble in turning over the rich brown earth. It was as easy as if it were a day in May. I was surprised to see worms falling free from the freshly turned -over ground. Then the thought struck me. This wasn't so unusual, for after all it was only a week or so ago that my son collected night crawlers (worms) off his wet lawn in hopes of using them for fishing. He was going to try his luck through the ice should the weather re- turn to its normal cold. I guess worms work year 'round, always keeping just below the frozen earth. As I dug through a section where I had planted carrots last spring I turned up a few that had not been har- vested. They were as solid and good as if they were pulled last summer. I rubbed the dirt off one of my pants' leg and ate it. It was delicious. Someday I'm going to plant late carrots and leave them in the ground. I've been told all you have to do is cover them with straw and plastic and you can dig and eat fresh carrots all winter long. After all, isn't that something like what our ancestors did in their root cellars? Weather surely does come in a variety of styles. I guess the trick is to do your best with whatever comes along. After all, there's not much you can do about changing Mother Nature —just adapt. Suffolk Times photo by Paul Stoutenburgh COMMON LOON —Many of these "great divers" spend their win- ter months here on our local waters. He's a rather drab - looking bird during his stay with us but quite the opposite in his summer plumage as pictured above. just in case danger moves in. When it does appear, a signal is given and the heads pop up and an uneasiness comes over the flock. Then as the danger moves closer, there's a mad beating of .wings and the whole flock seems to burst free from the water at once. Airborne, they swing away from the danger spot, their creamy underwings flashing in the sun. On an entirely different subject ... We have two cows that do a remark- ably good job of providing all the ma- nure we can use. I spend every other week spreading it on the garden, with the Lat'a Lnnir Back 75 Years Ago Jan. 26, 1923 Shelter Island News: The social gathering of the Mechanics and Sachem Council, D of A, on Wednesday evening was a jolly one. Part of the time was spent in a debate on the topic: "Are Movies Beneficial to Children ?" Harold Jennings, Floyd Sherman and Francis Myers were on the affirmative side; Mrs. Walter King, Mrs. Knapp Dawson and Mrs. Vincent King on the negative. After lis- tening to brilliant arguments from both sides the judges, Mrs. Irving Clark, Charles Corwin and E.P. Brown, ren- dered their decision in favor of the affirmative. East Marion News: A large number of the houses have been wired for electric lights and more are to be wired. The lights on the porches help greatly to lighten the dark streets. Don't forget to press the button and by doing so lighten the path of those who are trying to avoid pud- dles, ice, snow, mud and the most trying of all, bicycles without a light. 50 Years Ago Jan. 30, 1948 Gay 190s Are Party Theme: The Greenport Unit of the Eastern Long Island Hospital Auxiliary is going to hold its "Gay Nineties" card party at Trinity parish house on Feb. 4. This will, of course, hold true barring a blizzard. This party is for one and all, ladies and gentlemen alike. If you are a lone player or have one or two others to play with, there will be a partner or partners for you. If you play anything from cards to Chinese checkers you will be wel- come and have a good time. This will not be the regular "run of the mill" affair but something different has been planned. There will be the usual time allotted to card playing for which attractive honors will be awarded. After that it is rumored that Mr. Chute and his Star Hose talent may be present to entertain. For a certainty there will be delicious refreshments. If anyone cares to wear a "Gay Nineties" costume they will be more than welcome. 25 Years Ago Jan. 25, 1973 Vietnam Cease Fire: In marked contrast to spon- taneous and widespread demonstrations that in past wars greeted armistices ending those conflicts, Southold Town has received calmly and quietly the news that the long war in Vietnam, in which at least four Southold and Shelter Island men lost their lives, finally is coming to an end at 7 p.m. Saturday. Nowhere was announcement of the end of hostilities more reassuring and more warmly welcomed than in the homes of boys in this area who still are on duty in Southeast Asia. In those families the real relief will not be felt until the guns finally are silenced the day after tomor- row.