the Susquehanna River

From Google Earth, the Susquehanna River looks like a big branchy tree, its twigs in New York, its trunk flowing into the vast inland sea of the Chesapeake Bay. It's our backyard, so it's often where we paddle. It's full of wildlife: river otters have returned (reintroduced in the 80s when the water was cleaned up enough for them), eagles nest here, as well as herons and egrets (once nearly extinct, killed for their plumes to decorate women's hats). Seabirds sail over the rock gardens, sandpipers frequent the Conejehola Flats (an Important Bird Area). Dams still provide clean power, and block migration of species from shad to eels (fish ladders help, some). Wind turbines have sprung up on hill tops. Some of the oldest and most unique bridges in the world span the River. Ancient Native Petroglyphs adorn a rock accessible only by small boat.

And whatever happens in the River affects the Bay below it.

Here is a kayaker's eye view of this vast waterscape. Click on the pic to go to the pages.

To the White Lady and Beyond... (Dauphin Narrows)

The Rock Garden (Wrightsville)

The Conejehola Flats (across the river from Long Level)

Thunderbird Island ("Big Indian Rock" petroglyphs)