Wed Sept 9 2024 - Down the Moose River to James Bay

 We had a day long trip by boat.  Billy was the captain of our boat to James Bay.  The other captain of the boat was George.   The river was in high tide when we left at around 9:30 am.  Our group is large so our boat took on 10 not including Billy and another boat took the rest of the group.  There is a little cab on the boat with windows so in bad weather one is pretty sheltered from the wind and rain.  The front window comes out and 4 of our group sat in the open front half which is exposed.  We were very comfortable and the day started out at 14 degrees and by noon it was hot day.  Probably around 26 degrees.  

Along the river we could see bush and trees and shore.   After about 40 minutes we could see the start of James Bay, suddenly, the tall trees were fewer and there was more bush and grass.  Once on shore at Ships Sand Island, the environment included bushes, boreal plants and mostly sand and muck.      We got off the boat and once on shore we scanned for birds.  There were Canada Geese around and many shorebirds that flew up and down the shore.  We saw American Pipits in small groups.  Semi palmated  Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Yellow Legs and Semi palmated Plovers.  In the interior of the sandy island we saw Fox Sparrows, Le Conte's Sparrow and Nelson's Sparrow.  These two sparrows are hard to find and are very similar.  I did not get to see the Nelson's, but some of the group did.  We decided to head to the boats as it was near lunch time.  We had to get across a muddy creek and walk along wet grasses with moist clay muck.  Along the shore it was very muddy.  It felt like the muck wanted to hold onto our shoes and boots.  We were sucked in.  Some of us went barefoot, others had boots or shoes by the end of the hike each of us had clay mud on us in various layers on boots, pants etc.  It was funny and we laughed at our mucked-up selves.  

The day was warming up and Billy and his co-pilot had made a fire, set up some benches and brough lunch for the group.  The chicken soup was delicious and there were bannock muffins with raisins.  We are well and went for a walk along the southern shore.  Some of us saw a Wimbrel fly by.  It disappeared. The tide was going out after lunch and Billy and George (the other co-pilot) kept moving the boats out so that they would not get stuck in the low water.  

After this we loaded up and we headed south to Moosonee,  But we had one more stop on another island.  At this next place we disembarked into shallow water on stones so we did not get sucked down into the mud and this was also an opportunity to wash off the dried clay and walk on the little stone shore.  There were many little stones on shore that were shaped into different sizes and colours and some had even fossils in them.  Some of the group found some lovely small rocks.  Henry's sharp eyes spotted a tiny Wood Frog hopping around.  So very tiny.   Someone else found a mussel that looked shut but the shell was open a bit and no longer viable.  We walked a bit more and then turned around to get into the boats again.  Next stop the dock in Moosonee.   Both boats were going at a fast speed as there were fewer shallow spots in the river.  But our boat stopped suddenly.  Out of gas.  Billy primed the pump into the gas line and we started up again and sped along.  Out boat stopped suddenly again.  Now we were really out of gas and had about 15 minutes to go.  We almost made it.  George saw us drifting and hurried over.  Billy and George figured that George's boat could tow us back to the dock.  So we put-putted homewards.  Billy at the same time was trying to get to the last bit of gas in the gas tank.  He primed again and got the boat going and called to George to untie the tow line.  We quickly sped off and could soon see the dock in the distance.  We thanked Billy.  It was a day full of adventure.  We would see our boat driver again tomorrow.  

We could really feel the heat in town with all the cement and sidewalks.  Some of us had time to quickly wash off the clay/muck before supper at 6 pm.  Supper was chicken with rice and vegetables and apple pie with ice cream.  The list of birds seen today was compiled with some discussion and everyone was pretty tired.  Maybe the heat, the walking, being on the water and the wind blowing.  It was a super day and a real pleasant Moosonee experience.  More of the same tomorrow.