MATTAWOMAN CREEK: American Lotuses, Green Tree Frogs & Eagles

UPDATE 1 : KAYAK RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE ON SITE!!! See 'UP THE CREEK" RENTALS (http://www.upthecreekrentals.net/): Rates: Recommend 4hr rate = $40/single kayak; $60/tandem kayak UPDATE 2: The Adventure Fast-Paddle Group (2) is Cancelled UPDATE 3: Improving weather forecast now favor an earlier start time. The tides and weather are 'perfect' for an upstream paddle. REcommending a 9am start time. If you had RSVP'd, please let me know if an earlier start time would be acceptable with you. With concensus, I'll modify the event time from 9am-1pm Still feeling patriotic after this holiday weekend? The month of July month features a special blooming of the lotuses at Mattawoman Creek, which boasts the largest field of American Lotuses along the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. There are only 4 such fields along the Chesapeake Bay Basin (the other 3 are located on the Eastern shore)

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Photo 1: American Lotuses at Mattawoman Creek

Timing of the blooms tends to vary, especially the past few years. While cooler/wetter even stranger weather patterns have occurred these past few years, I'll need to try my luck this Saturday. However fyi, I do expect it peaking later this month.

Fyi: 'Mattawoman' translates as 'Where one goes pleasantly" by our Native Americans.

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Photo 2: Mattawoman Creek translates as, "Where one paddles pleasantly" to WKC'ers.

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But it also boasts itself as "the most productive spawning ground for migratory fish" (shad and bass), throughout the Chesapeake Bay by the DNR.

But for me, it's a special place that always presents surprises in wildlife, including numerous Great Egrets, Herons, wood ducks, bald eagles, ospreys, beavers, tree swallows and hawks.

Photo 3: An immature American Bald Eagle poses atop Mattawoman Creek.

There are others, including this particularly colorful character - a hitcher who I named 'Captain Kermit':

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Photo 4: The Dread Captain Kermit, an American Green Tree Frog, commandeers the Chesapeake Oriole at Mattawoman Creek.

For a greater sense of this special place, simply click Kermit's nose to unveil a slideshow link.http://img1.meetupstatic.com/614102232183174521616/img/smileys/wink.gif

Directions:

One can travel 'pleasantly' to Mattawoman in less than 1 hour's drive from Washington, DC to Indian Head, MD. It's ~20 miles south of National Harbor at the end of Rt-210. Make a left onto Mattingly Ave, which is the last road on left before the gates into the Naval Base.

For GoogleMap, click here (http://g.co/maps/dx85n).

Current weather forecast: Indian Head, MD (http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Indian+Head+MD+USMD0217)

Summer weather at Maryland can spawn T-storms, and there's a chance in the morning, as of this posting. So far, it looks favorable after 12n: Temps: mid-80's': Winds: Neglible (<1 mph).

Tides:

• High Tide: 2013-07-13: Sat ~12noon EDT
• Low Tide: 2013-07-13: Sat ~07:00 PM EDT

Trip Specs: (UPDATE)

Group 1: The Explorers Paddle Group
14 paddlers total (recs, touring, sea kayak; must maintain a minimum 2.0-2.5 mph pace)
Time: 11:30am -1:30pm (but highly recommend 9-1pm due to improved weather outlook); extended trip possible (rates for rentals would be $40/4hrs for single kayak)
Length: ~4-6 miles RT: Possibly 8 miles RT, if we paddle upstream to bridge.
PFD required Lunch: upstream (12n) or at Mattingly Park (1:30pm) Group 2 CANCELLED - The Adventurers Paddle Group: First 6-8 "Sea Kayakers ONLY" who RSVP, must be able to maintain a 3.5 - 5.0 mph steady pace. Time: 2:00am - 3:30pm Length: 6-8 miles RT : downstream towards Fort Smallwood Park (or to Potomac River) Other comments:

PFDs must be worn at all times Please pack a lunch/drinks/water Wide brim hat/suntan lotion Bring binoculars/waterproof camera/bug spray, too. Special Notes:

Single & Tandem Kayak Rentals are available on-site by 'Up The Creek' Rentals. see (Reservations are recommended, please call ahead.)