The rivers are fascinating because their personalities change with the seasons. In spring, the rivers feel like vast lakes as the waters overflow their banks and inundate the flood plain. At these times, it is wise to note landmarks to provide guidance. Two particularly enjoyable trips are to kayak to the Dike Trail area in Concord and Weir Hill in Sudbury. These are lovely places to savor lunch and stretch cramped legs.
Wildlife is abundant.
My favorite times on the rivers are spring and fall. Wood ducks, with their majestic heads, orange bills, and magnificent markings, are also abundant at Great Meadows in the fall. Wood ducks were close to extinction in Massachusetts by 1900. Fearing extinction, wildlife experts developed the wood duck nesting box which resembles a tree cavity and provides a natural setting for breeding. Great Meadows was one of the first places in the U.S. to use wood duck boxes to save the species from extinction.