12/05/2009 - Gravine Island

Launch: Byrnes Lake

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1) Remarkably, on the morning after a night calling for snow flurries, about 8 or 9 hardy individuals showed up for this club paddle. Temperature was 37 degrees at launch time, cloudy, and breezy.

2) The clouds quickly gave way to clear sunny skies. Bill, Marty, Dave and myself braved the Tensaw River crossing to get to Gravine Island. Waves weren't bad considering the wind but current was running 2 to 2.5 mph because the waters were being blown out of the Bay from strong north winds. Our speed going upstream was 2 mph and coming back it was close to 6 mph.

3) After a short hike on Gravine Island where we saw fresh deer tracks, we kayaked up a nearby tributary and were surprised to see two sailboats anchored together. Two big dogs were running around on top of the sailboats.

4) During the busy hunting season kayakers are encouraged to be visible by wearing hunter's orange. Our group was definitely visible. This turned out to be a nice paddle. We saw one small alligator and several big herons.

A couple of post trip safety observations.

If a kayak trip calls for crossing a big river during the passing of a cold front (small craft advisory condition), one should have a spray skirt. Most of the sit-in kayakers in the group today turned around because they didn't have a spray skirt. A spray skirt, paddle float, and pump should be standard safety gear carried on every trip for those paddling sit-in kayaks.

A fisherman on a power boat told us the water temperature in Byrnes Lake was 49 degrees. Buoy readings in our area show 55 degree water so it is entirely possible for shallow creek waters to be colder than the Bay Waters. It is that time of year now - our waters are cold. It could be 75 degrees outside, but remember, cold waters adds a significant risk to kayaking.

Someone in our group today was not wearing their life jacket. If you haven't watched the Hypothermia Boot Camp video and the 1-10-1 video, I beg you to watch them. Just do a search on Youtube to find them. People who kayak alone in cold waters without wearing a life jacket don't have to worry about dying from hypothermia - if they survive the first minute, they'll probably not stay above water much more than 5-10 minutes. Long before hypothermia ever sets in, they will drown.

The reason I yak about this problem is, in a group paddle, if someone not wearing a life vest happens to capsize, what should be a routine 10 minute self rescue might become a frantic group effort to try to save this person. When kayakers are in close proximity together, not paddling, and dealing with a floundering swimmer that they are trying to keep above water, in wind, fast current, and waves, there is a high risk of the rescuers turning over too.

So, when you go on a group paddle in cold water conditions, not wearing your life jacket for your selfish comfort, please understand that you also put your fellow kayakers at risk too because most kayakers are caring people who will try to save their fellow kayaker. Thanks.

11/15/2009 - Gravine Island & Briar Creek Tributary

Launch: Byrnes Lake

1) Weather was perfect this weekend so I decided to lead a trip for the kayak club. As we were waiting for everyone to get underway, Morgan's kayak reflection presented a photo opp.

2) We are headed out Byrnes Lake to the Tensaw River - left to right, David, Morgan, Ken and Tracy.

3) The current was predictably strong due to the flooding conditions up river. What was unexpected was to see a bald eagle (small dot on the top middle of the photo).

4) It is a rare treat around here to see such a magnificent bird. Only my second sighting of a bald eagle in the Delta.

5) David glides across the Tensaw River (pun intended). For those puzzled, David is paddling my old Seda "Glider" kayak.

6) Ken prepares to take a photo of his son Morgan. While the waters on the Tensaw appear to be calm, the current was over 2 mph. If you stopped paddling, you were going backwards almost instantly.

7) It took a while but we finally made the 3/4 mile trek across the Tensaw River to Gravine Island. The beach appears to have taken a pounding from tropical storm Ida.

8) Saw some pig tracks and these odd looking tracks which no one could identify. Anyone know what leaves this kind of track? Update: A search on the internet seems to show these are opossum tracks.

9) I've always wondered why there aren't turtle skeletons all over. Today Tracy found a turtle (expired), and it appears the shells decompose very quickly by falling apart into dust. That's why...

10) This was taken in the Briar Creek tributary. We only saw one alligator on this trip.

11) Ken paddles by some Bur-Marigold flowers up in the tributary off Big Briar Creek.

12) The tributary finally narrows down and gets clogged with vegetation.

13) Shot of Tracy as we were headed back to Gravine Island for another break.

14) Having the current push us on the way back made the return trip go quick. Here are Tracy and David in Byrnes Lake as we near the ending point. Perfect weather, great group of kayakers, and an eagle? This was a great trip. Thanks go to Ken, Morgan, Tracy and David for joining the trip.

01/11/2009 – Gravine Island

Launch: Byrnes Lake
Cost: Free
Kayak: Hobie Outback
Route: Out Byrnes Lake and northwest across Tensaw River to Gravine Island and back.
Distance: 5 Miles
Pace: Leisurely to working hard.
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 46 degrees, winds occasionally gusting a little over 10 mph.

1) Conditions in Byrnes Lake were calm despite a small craft wind warning. 

2) A little wind and small waves, but current in the Tensaw River was about the worst I’ve ever seen it – running about 2.5 mph. Probably a combination of a cold front blowing water out of Mobile Bay and flooding conditions further up the rivers.

3) The water in the Tensaw was very turbid looking like coffee with cream added. I pedaled hard crossing over to Gravine Island barely able to average 1 mph – it took about 45 minutes just to cross. Speed on the return trip across the the Tensaw was 6 times faster - it only took about 8 minutes. Beware of the current on the Tensaw River!

4) None one was at the island today and the tide was low.

5) There were few rays of sun that peaked through the clouds.

6) Back in Byrnes Lake on the return trip, conditions were very calm with almost no wind. Nice little workout today but due to cloud cover, no sunset on Byrnes Lake.

12/29/2006 - Briar Creek

Launch: Brynes Lake in Baldwin County off Highway 225.
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: West out Brynes Lake, across the Tensaw River to Gravine Island Sandbar for a break. Then northwest toward Mobile River, then north into Big Briar Creek up to the first tributary to the right, then returned to launch site.
Distance: 11.1 miles round trip.
Average Speed: 3.1 mph.
Time: Approx. 3.5 hrs.
Pace: Leisurely.
Weather: 65-70 degrees, sunny, and light winds.

1) Taken from the top of the sand on Gravine Island.

2) A variety of Lichen blankets limbs of trees.

3) The palmetto plants provide a bit of green in an otherwise drab environment.

4) The waters were slick on Briar Creek Tributary.

5) A variety of Lichen blankets limbs of trees.

6) The sun lowers on the horizon on the trip back, only to be hidden by the trees later on.

7) A rather interesting tree structure.

8) Several times, the otter would pop up on the right bank ahead of me, then slowly cross the creek on an intersecting course.

9) As I got closer, the otter would slap its tail and disappear under the water, only to pop up on the right bank again to repeat the game.

10) On Byrnes Lake, an otter darts out in front of me.

So ends a year of great kayaking adventures on the Mobile area waterways. I look forward to breaking in 2007 on the waters. Hope to see you out there next year. 
Happy New Year!

Nature is the greatest teacher and I learn from her best when others are asleep. In the still dark hours before sunrise God tells me of the plans I am to fulfill.
-George Washington Carver

05/14/2006 - Big Briar Creek

Launch: Brynes Lake in Baldwin County off Highway 225. Launch Cost: Free. Route: West out Brynes Lake, across the Tensaw River to Gravine Island Sandbar for a break. Then northwest toward Mobile River, then north into Big Briar Creek up to the first tributary to the right. Explored that tributary then went north up to Little Briar Creek which was blocked by a log jam. Explored a few tributaries up by the railroad tracks, then returned to Brynes Lake. Distance: 27.3 miles round trip. Average Speed: 3.6 mph. Time: Approx 7.5 hrs. Pace: Leisurely to moderate. Weather: 70-90 degrees, sunny to partly cloudy in the afternoon. Kayak: Today I tested out the Hobie Mirage Adventure using Turbo Flippers and have come to the conclusion that I like my Outback better than the Adventure.

(1) Above left. Typical view in the upper ends of the Big Briar Creek tributaries. (2) Above right. One of the tributaries was blocked by the Hideway river shack. Nice little place.

(3)(4) Above left and right. Flowers were abundant. Both of the above photos are of the Water Willow flower, aka Justicia americana, noted for its 2 stamens.

(5) Above left. A Prothonotary warbler had a caterpillar in a death grip. (6) Above right. The lubber grasshoppers are out in force again. Too bad they don’t eat some of the invasive species of weeds that are clogging up the waterways.

(7) Above left. Honey bees were hard at work in the patches of water primrose flowers. This bee was carrying quite a load. (8) Above right. While gliding silently along the quiet backwaters of an upper creek tributary, I noticed a yellow crowned night heron perched over head near its nest watching my every move. It remained eerily still, not blinking an eye as I passed closely by.

(9) Above left. Some caterpillars gorging themselves on what I think was iris leaves. (10) Above right. On the way back to Brynes Lake, the marine police were out in force keeping the party on Gravine Island from getting out of hand.

05/28/2005 – Byrnes Lake to McVay, Gravine, and Briar

Launch: Byrnes Lake. Launch Fee: Free. Route: West on Byrnes Lake to Tensaw River, then south to McVay’s Lake. Explore McVay’s Lake. Then up the west side of Gravine Island. Explore the first creek. Then up past the north end of Gravine Island into the cut that goes to Mobile River. Right into Briar Creek. Right into the first creek (un-named) and then back to Byrnes Lake. Distance: 22.1 miles. Average Speed: 2.8 mph. Time: Approx 8 hrs. Pace: Slow. Weather: It was a bit warm - about 90 degrees, chance of afternoon showers that never happened.

(1) Above left. Was on the water about 5:45 am, just in time to enjoy the morning sunrise. Surface fog danced on the water. (2) Never seen so many herons on one trip. The night heron in the above right cropped photo, had just caught a crab, one of their favorite foods. (Sorry, digital cameras tend to blur images in low light conditions.)

(3) Above left. Once into McVay’s Lake, the water’s surface turned into a mirror because there was no boat traffic, nor wind. (4) Above right. Further up into McVay’s Lake, a series of tree trunks with the aid of low tide, made it look like a kaleidoscope. Plus, turn your head sideways so the right side becomes the bottom. Ignoring my sandals, now what do you see? Do you see a head, hair on the head, and the green headband? How about the legs? Whoa, maybe I did too much LSD today.

(5) Above left. McVay’s Lake has about seven forks to explore – one could get lost in there. Unfortunately, alligator weed, water primrose, and some other weed with a single round leaf have banded together and clogged many of the branches. (6) Above right. The birds were very active all along the west side of Gravine Island. I kept passing this tri-colored heron and it would fly ahead landing on a lotus pad, watch me go by, and then fly ahead again. This cycle went on for about 20 minutes. Also saw a flock of white herons, some osprey eagles, and lots of gulls.

(7) Above left. Lizard’s-tail flowers are in full bloom. (aka water-dragon, need-viagara plant, aka Saururus cernuus.) (8) Above right. You can’t forget the lizard’s-tail wildflower because their masses coat the banks of some streams, their flower droops, and their leaves are heart shaped.

(9) Above left. There was a big mass of water willow (aka Justicia americana) in bloom. It is the first time I have ever seen this plant in the delta. It was mixed in with a mass of alligator weed and water primrose. (10) Above right. Upon exiting the Briar creek tributary, a 3-4 foot alligator showed no fear and swam along aside the kayak for several minutes until I was out of his territory. Lots of birds, new flower sightings, friendly alligators, and good exercise. The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is a special asset to the Mobile area – it is both a natural zoo and a native botanical garden. My compliments to the keepers of the zoo and gardens.