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I usually try to sign up for as many kayak
outings as I can – with the main purpose of gaining more paddling
experience and perhaps seeing some interesting bodies of water. Paddling
the Menantico "River" provided that and so much more.
It was small group, six of us plus Steve
Eisenhauer from the Natural
Lands Trust, accompanied by two assistants. As we gathered, selected
our kayaks, and got started, we learned that the Menantico Pond is a body
of water, meandering around a group of small islands. It then becomes
the Menantico Creek, feeding into the Maurice River. It is a rare phenomenon
of fresh, tidal water, which I believe explained much of the unique features.
It also has a history of being one of the state’s major sources of
sand and gravel.
We experienced such a wide range of "wildlife"
that it’s hard to know where to start. First we were greeted by two
red-bellied turtles trying sun themselves on some old boards. Thankfully
for us there was not too much direct sun to be had, and the insects we
encountered were more of the friendly type (with one possible exception).
Paddling along we saw many species of plants:
purple pickerels, white swamp azaleas, fragrant swamp roses, yellow swamp
lilies, button bush, magnolia, inkberry, pepperbush, arrow plant, blueberries,
raspberries, swamp willow – covered with the parasitic, non-rooted,
dodder vines. We all got to pick up a handful of the carnivorous bladderwort
and see its small "bladders" that captured fleas and other small
insects.
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Since this was freshwater we saw many
Asiatic clamshells. I think we all learned for the first time about
Parker's pipewort (scientific name Eriocaulon parkeri), globally
listed as a species of concern. Quite a special plant, with probably
the highest global ranking of any plant on the creek and in the
wildlife management area. By definition, it grows only in freshwater
tidal areas, and is below the water level most of the time. It’s
a very tiny plant and it’s a mystery how its tiny flowers are
pollinated. (Thanks to an email exchange between Sue and
Steve for this piece of trivia!)
We then reached the delta where the
pond met the creek. We were able to "park’ our kayaks
on a sand bar and wade into the delightfully cool water. It was
a perfect place to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch. At this time
Steve and his assistants used his seining nets to capture and share
with us yet another wildlife experience. His net produced: young
bass, pickerel, black pirate fish, shrimp, crayfish, sunfish, eels,
tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, and much more.
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Taking a break along the Menantico.
Click to enlarge
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belted kingfishers, great blue herons and Canada geese. We were serenaded
at the end of our paddle by a cardinal and reminded to "drink
your tea" by an eastern towhee.
Although this was an easy and relaxing
paddle, it was not without an element of danger and mystery. I will
not mention her name, but one of our fearless crew had a close encounter
with a large species in the arachnid family. It must have been the
climate and conditions in south Jersey (perhaps similar to those
that gave us the Jersey Devil) that produced a spider of such large
stature. But like a true "outdoors-woman" she leaped from
her kayak and escaped danger. Steve was the hero and managed to
dispose of the menace, and we all felt safe once again.
The mystery came at the end when Steve
showed us a large "blob" of some sort. I’m not sure
anyone really saw him retrieve it from the water, but he claimed
it to be some sort of collection of eggs – hmmm….We will
have to ask him more about this at the next adventure.
Bonnie Lindsay
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