Mac Bayou
April 3rd, 2015
by Dave Kitson
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Area Map |
There was considerable wind in the morning and even a little more in the afternoon so the trip across Lake Charlotte was a bear both ways and the fact that I was in my canoe made things a little more difficult. After crossing the lake I headed down Mac with a 2 mph current pushing me along. I was well aware that I would have to paddle against it on the way back and as it turned out it was maybe 3 mph then. Oh well, I could use the exercise.
As I paddled across the lake I could see that there is not yet any activity on Buzzard Roost. Taking the right down the Sulfur Cut I found the usual lunch spot was occupied by a camper which sent me on down to the pier. I got out on the east end but the mud was thick and smelled terrible so I got back in the boat and paddled back to Mac. The water seemed to be somewhat higher in the back as I turned my bow into the Secret Cut and in fact I was able to get about as far as it is possible to go there; all the way to the tiny “Lake”.
Returning back out of the Secret Cut I passed the Mac Bayou rookery which was also inactive and headed into Mac Lake. The water here was also quite high, much higher than it appeared to be at the put in. In fact, two motor boats passed me on the lake going at a very high rate of speed. I was expecting them to hit a submerged log or the sand bar in the middle of the lake but they never did and managed to speed on their way. There was plenty of water to get out the top end of Mac Lake which enabled me to go nearly to the power easement, only turning around when the shrubs were thicker than I wanted to mess with. Back in this deep, dense forest there was a huge flock of White Ibis, easily 150 or more birds. They did not appear to be nesting but this might be something worth checking out on a trip in a couple of weeks.
By this time it was getting late and there was still the current on Mac Bayou to fight and the trip across the lake in the wind so I headed home. Sure enough the current had picked up so it was real work getting back to Charlotte. There was a 7’ gator on Sand Island. It jumped into the water as I approached and then came back to the surface to check me out for a minute before sinking under water.
I did not take my camera so there are no photos. The trip ended up at 8.4 miles and 3.5 hours.
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| The author, Dave Kitson |