7/2/23 Exploring the Riparian Habitat in the area of the Convergence of the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers
Epic day kayaking and hiking around the convergence of the San Joaquin and Stanislaus rivers. Wow, so wild!
Weather was hot. 80’s when I launched and over 100 when I landed. I had to take care to avoid the sun today.
I launched at the North end of Sturgeon Bend, the 180 bend downriver of the convergence. There is a (weak) whirlpool there in the river caused by the current changing direction that is pretty neat and I would think a good fishing spot, along the with "Sturgeon Bend" being the name associated with that location of river. A few weeks ago when the river was about 5-10 feet higher, the whirlpool was really going, with debris swirling and the current giving me a little child-like excitement as it would just swirl me around in it's miniature white-water fury.
From my launch at the North end of Sturgeon Bend, I paddled upriver, not easy by any stretch, for about a solid half hour or so non-stop making slow progress through the swift current. Care must be taken to just keep it straight because the current will turn you sideways and flip if you aren't alert. I aimed for a really special, wild, spot that is across the river in a skinny peninsula directly west of the convergence, just hugging above the county line. This spot was until recently under water with our heavy rains year. Evidence of the relentless current was highlighted by quite an illusion, a floating, old-growth oak tree. The water had washed away most of the dirt within the root system and even about four feet below! The entire tree was supported by a few, perfectly-placed roots shooting straight down disapearring below into the constant water source below. I was able to stick my head up right under the truck itself, an eerie experience that I couldn't pass up. I wish I took better pics of it.
To me, the landscape resembles what I would think the rivers used to be like in the valley when they were allowed to overflow the banks. I kept imagining being indigenous and this spot made it easy.
The northern end of the peninsula is mostly muddy-sand and there are many “sinkholes” where pools of water are trapped along the dried up channels run night trough not long ago. Willows habitats are present in many, no-doubt indicating constant water access. These pools are full of dead or dying little fish, frogs, and crayfish. The animal tracks in the mud were cool but the birds and mammals taking advantage of this easy meal stayed out of sight today. I’ll bet indigenous peoples trapped many fish this way. The sand and mud is also incredible. So clean and pure. I would sink down to my calves at some points by the water. Launching the kayak was a challenge to get through the five feet or so of deep mud. I must have looked goofy to the Swainson's Hawk above.
A bit further down the peninsula are about a dozen old growth oak trees with a complete understory of box elder, willows, wild rose, golden currants and a few elderberry bushes. Many wildflowers were present including floating primrose willow, sunflowers, mustard, and many others. The oak grove reminded me of Caswel State Park, just up the Stanislaus River with its three-story habitats, but it seemed wilder with the changing landscape caused by the flooding.
There was also a mini grassland habitat that supported most of the finches found. Fiddleneck seemed to be the preferred fare.
I found a nice oak under which to set up home-base and went on three “search and destroy” mini hour-long birding raids before needing more water and shade. The last one I brought my tripod and ambushed a few good shots.
It’s too bad this place is so hard to access, but perhaps that’s why it’s so special… I didn’t see anybody except for a few people at “Two Rivers”. Side note, they don’t seem to like outsiders much. But they don’t own the rivers.
After my third mission, I decided to cross the river and paddle up the Stanislaus a bit because it had many cottonwoods, surprisingly absent from peninsula. The shade and cooler water of the Stanislaus was very satisfying. The current was very mellow and paddling up the Stanislaus wasn’t very hard for me. I anchored in the shade for a bit hoping something would fall into my ambush, but not too much showed, and the wind was picking up. I would have gone further if I had more phone battery and water. I knew what I was in for loading up, so I saved water for reserve. The paddle back was more about keeping the kayak straight into the wind and with the current, kinda easy at times for pics, but tricky and tedious at others. The action stopped as it was 100 degrees and the noon sun cooking.
The highlight today was probably the two Swainson's Hawks that challenged each other right above me while I was on the kayak. I managed to get great pics of this which is mostly luck because I was bouncing along the kayak and my camera lens in manual everything. One day I will have better equipment. The Black-Headed Grosbeak was fun to watch as it fed on the elderberries. Check one of the shots and you can see juice dropping out of a young male's mouth!
No brown pelican today, although I’m 90% sure I saw him yesterday at “Two Rivers” when I was scouting launching points. Was focusing my shot when I heard the dreaded, “Can I help you?” I carefully and politely explained my ambitions and offered someone $20 to let me park there and launch my kayak, which was politely declined. Damn.
I will add pics because it was great! Nothing rare, but high number for sure! Let me know if you’d like to go on a kayak adventure with me! The next mission seems to be Caswell to Sturgeon Bend. But I would need a ride back to Caswel.
Also, the levee is a great walk if you wanna bird here without getting wet. Not much shade or access to big oaks, but willows are all around and the elevation of the levee gives a good vantage point. Just be careful parking.
