 DISCOVERY
AT DUSK - 2013
A guided canoe trip on the
French Broad River
Cost
is $60.00 per person
Call 828-877-3106 to make your reservation
• May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
• June 7th, 14th
• September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
We run
our "Discovery at Dusk" guided trips on Fridays in May,
the first half of June, and September. These trips balance
nature observation with the quiet relaxation of an evening canoe
outing. Departing at 4 p.m (you must arrive by
3:15 pm). from Headwaters, each trip includes all paddling gear,
river shuttle, and guide service . Snacks and drinks are available
for sale at the shop. Prior canoeing experience is helpful, but
not necessary. Reservations are required and
are secured with a 50% deposit. The cost is $60 per person, though
kids under 10 who sit in the middle of the canoe cost only $30.
To reserve a spot, or for more information, call
Headwaters at (828) 877-3106.
 "A
quiet canoe ride along a river forest provides an ideal way of
seeing birds" states John C. Kircher in Peterson's Ecology
of Eastern Forests field guide (1988). For those who enjoy watching
wildlife, or simply relaxing on a quiet summer evening, the French
Broad River in Transylvania County offers some of the best places
in Western North Carolina to take in this recreational experience.
 While
a few songbirds and squirrels may be seen during the day, the
prime hours for viewing the majority of the French Broad's residents
occur when the sun settles in the west, and bustle of the day
turns gradually into the calm and quiet of night.
On the river at dusk, you may be
startled by the warning slap of a beaver's tail on the water.
However, if you paddle quietly you may be able to observe North
America's largest member of the rodent family for a time before
it drops below the surface to find its underwater burrow entrance.
The beaver's smaller cousin, the muskrat, is less shy and is more
likely to be viewed in its normal routine. Evidence of each can
be found along the river banks where their burrows and trails
meet the river's edge.
 Abundant
bird life is also found at dusk on the French Broad. Swallows
dip and dive to catch insects and feed their young in the nests
which have been burrowed into the dark soil of the river's bank.
Sand pipers scurry across gravel bars in search of more insects,
their niche in this river ecosystem. The green heron and belted
kingfisher patrol from the air, trees, and shore, looking for
the frog or fish that will make their meal.
 Possibly
the most colorful visitor to the river, however, is the American
Wood duck. This tree-nesting waterfowl is known for its distressed
call if flushed from its roost, or when attempting to lure predators
away from ducklings. The male Wood duck carries a distinct red
head with black crest, and reflects an array of colors from the
feathers along its sides and back. The female is not as flashy,
needing to keep a low profile while caring for the offspring.
Seen singly, in pairs, and in larger flocks, this beautiful bird
is always a highlight on an evening river trip.
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