PULASKI, NY – The Belted kingfisher carved a perfect arc across the azure sky, a subtle turn of the head to scan the dark water for prey his only movement. If this stunning glimpse of my surroundings was any indicator, we were in for a great day.
Traveling north on State Route 3 just north of Port Ontario, the Deer Creek Boat Launch parking area is clearly marked on the west side of the road. Before we unstrapped our canoe, Karin and I took the time to read the informative posters mounted at the beginning of the trail to the creek.
Information concerning the various flora and fauna we might be lucky enough to encounter on our journey, as well as weather safety tips, gave us a good idea of how we wanted to approach this paddle. Loading the boat with PFD’s and other necessaries, we enjoyed the quiet of our surroundings, broken only by the breeze and the rush past of an occasional vehicle.
We carried our trusty boat down the short gravel pathway, finding an impressive piece of dock work waiting to assist us in our launch. This state of the art device allows persons facing physical challenges to enter a boat and launch safely, a fantastic step forward in accessibility for all.
We sliced the glassy surface of the creek with the blades of our paddles, getting the canoe underway and gliding through the marshy estuary, passing gently waving grasses and the occasional cottonwood tree. Our ears perked up upon hearing the who hooting of an owl, and after a quick search of the tall trees lining the bank of the creek, I spotted a Horned Owl staring at our shiny canoe with its incredibly sharp eyes. Sighting an individual of this species during daylight is always a treat, as most Owls are nocturnal creatures.
The twisting, winding, watery pathway wends its way leisurely to the west, leaving behind the forested banks and entering a zone of grasses and cattails, all waving in a synchronous pattern as gusts of wind riding in from the nearby lake pass over the wildlife rich wetland. Red Winged Blackbirds and Cedar Waxwings flit about the sky over the bright green shafts of vegetation, chirping and calling to each other, warning of the approach of humans invading their territory.
We followed the creek past enormous fallen tree trunks, weathered by time and wind, changing direction continuously as the waterway gradually widened. Small feeder creeks tempted us to follow as they disappeared into the wildness, the sounds of hidden waterfowl echoing from bank to bank.
We eventually found ourselves in sight of sand dunes overgrown with brushy grasses and oak and cottonwood trees, some with massive trunks that made their old age obvious. A piece of tree trunk rising from the dark water appeared, festooned with a squad of painted turtles. Not interested in socializing with humans, the shelled reptiles wasted no time plopping into the creek and disappeared into a world of warm water and dense vegetation.
Arriving at the barrier dune that separates the creek from Lake Ontario, we found another marvel of the dockbuilders trade waiting to assist paddlers both able bodied and those who need a little assistance. Wooden walkways and decks allow all to enjoy a visit to the unique barrier dune ecosystem without trampling the delicate dune grasses that hold the sand in place as the winds of Lake Ontario do their best to re-sculpt the banks.
A quick dip in the refreshing water and we were paddling back upstream through the freshwater marsh headed slowly for home. Paddling slowly in an effort to savor our time in an unspoiled realm, we gradually meandered eastward and back to our starting point.
If you decide to make the trip to Deer Creek, please bear in mind that the area, like many other recreation venues, is under added pressure of human visitation during the coronavirus pandemic. Try, if possible, to visit at a time of low usage, such as a weekday or a non-holiday weekend.
Always remember insect repellent, and that a personal flotation device is required for each paddler. Perhaps most importantly, take any refuse with you and leave no trace.
missing or outdated ad config
