Trip Overview
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Put-in
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Lake Fishing Public Access, 13571 Garrett Rd, Houston, TX 77044
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Take-out
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Same
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Fees or Permits
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none
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Gage
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Call Sheldon Lake State Park for water level and condition of plant life
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Temperature
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65°F to 78°F
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Sky
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Cloudy, Sunny
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Precipitation
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none
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Wind
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10 to 20 mph
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Coordinator
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Christy Long
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Participants
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Cindy Bartos, John Bartos, Eloise Catrett, Linda Davis, Lisa Dixon, Greg Fan, Marsha Kamsh, Carl Kuhlman, Linda Kuhlman, Christy Long, Kurk Muller, Alice Nissen, Bob Spiegelhauer, Mary Savelle, Fran Wilcox, Jenny Zhang
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Shuttle
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None
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River Miles
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5.25
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Road Miles
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15 miles from downtown Houston
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Guidebook
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HCC trip list and Call Sheldon Lake State Park for water level
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Photos
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Link in HCC website photo album. Photo Album List - Houston Canoe Club
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Trip Description
The club enjoyed another well-attended paddle on the first day of the month, this time at Sheldon Lake. Birds were abundant throughout the route, and one alligator was spotted on the bank, simply minding its own business. The day offered excellent conditions for being out on the water.
We looked like Easter Eggs in this picture
Photo by John Bartos
Back Row from Left: Carl Kuhlman, Greg Fan, Cindy Bartos, Bob Spiegelhauer, Lisa Dixon, Kurk Muller, Alice Nissen
Front Row: Jenny Zhang, Linda Kuhlman, Linda Davis, Eloise Catrett, Christy Long, Marsha Kamsh, Mary Savelle, Fran Wilcox
Trip Logistics
The group met at 9:00 AM and was paddling by 10:10. Coordinating such a large group required effort to get everyone on the water at the same time, but the trip was very relaxed. Watching the boats slip into the water was reminiscent of alligators sunning on the riverbank.
Photo By Christy Long
We used the trees as protection from the wind.
Route and Conditions
Due to wind and motorboat traffic, the group did not reach the southside boat ramp. The decision was made to turn around before reaching the Sheldon Lake Boat Launch on the south side of the lake.
Bird Sightings
John Bartos compiled a list of birds identified by sight and/or sound during the trip:
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Bird
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Number Observed
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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10
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Common Gallinule
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2
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American Coot
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45
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Limpkin
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9
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Ring-billed Gull
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5
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Anhinga
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5
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Double-crested Cormorant
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4
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White Ibis
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8
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Roseate Spoonbill
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4
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Yellow-crowned Night Heron
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1
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Little Blue Heron
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1
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Great Egret
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9
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Great Blue Heron
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1
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Osprey
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1
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Bald Eagle
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1
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American Crow
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1
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Fish Crow
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9
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Tree Swallow
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8
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Red-winged Blackbird
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5
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Great-tailed Grackle
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6
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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10
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Northern Cardinal
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1
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The group began paddling toward the west side of the lake and then headed south. On the return, they stayed among the trees to avoid the wind.
