Day 182, Tuesday Oct. 2, 2018, It rained--but...We saw the Grand Isle of Lake Champlain..and birds!!!

Yes, after a number of days when the birds were few to be seen, we did accumulate 21 birds today. That was not easy as it was all during the rain the came down almost all day. I think there was a 20 minute span in the afternoon when it was just "cloudy".

We took our lunch with us (netted two birds at lunch the PIED BILLED GREBE and the  BELTED KINGFISHER), and headed toward the Sand Bar Park again  to see if the birds were still there. Even in the rain getting out the scope we could see the GREAT BLUE HERON (many) , GADWALL, MALLARDS, RING BILLED GULL, BLACK DUCK, WOOD DUCK (pretty fascinating to see them in the open) , CANADIAN GEESE,  and GREAT EGRET.  

Te Lamoille  River is short but full. From US 2 (VT)

A portion of Sand Bar Park where we saw the Pine Warblers

The Grand Isle Marina  with many empty slips.

That was before we stopped for cider and donuts at Hackett's Farm store and apple house. We were able to watch them sorting apples by size and using the floater that brings the apples up the conveyor from the tank where they are rinsed.. The daughter of the owner said they have been there 60 years and two previous owners had the place before that. Certainly much more than 100 years old.  This land is a part of the South Hero and Vermont Land Trusts. We can assume that the land will not be used for other than what it is at present. No developments, housing , apartments, etc.

Here is how it works..." South Hero Land Trust protects the natural and agricultural landscapes of South Hero through conservation projects. We work with willing landowners to facilitate protecting their land through conservation easements, wherein the landowner sells or donates his or her development rights to a qualified land conservation organization. In doing so, the landowner can be assured that the property will be protected in perpetuity.
A conservation easement is a legal document that permanently restricts the development potential of property that has significant natural or cultural value. With a conservation easement, landowners protect their land without giving up ownership and can continue to use the land for farming, forestry, recreation, education, and other non-development purposes. The easement runs with the land; the original owner and all subsequent owners are bound by the restrictions of the easement. Conservation easements are flexible by nature; they can be designed to provide for future family housing needs, farm expansion, and in some cases even limited sub-divisibility, as long as the natural and agricultural resource values are protected

Hackett's market was in full gear. The hot summer and recent rains condensed the work time for harvest.

The rinse tub allows the apples to move up the conveyor to bins for sorting.

In the "back room" they are sorted for size and refrigerated right away.

We continued on down US 2  to the Ferry at the end of route 314. where we will cross over to New York state  and continue our journey westward on Friday. The Ferry will save both wear and tear on the vehicles and quite a bit of time overall.

An aerial view of the Hackett's orchards. Store at upper left.

Watermelons yet to be harvested in a large garden.

The Ferry landing we will use this week.

A Unique sign on gasoline pumps for Canadian customers and zip codes.

The last part of the day was the lunch on the east side of the Island where a small dirrt access to the bay allows some parking between two homes, one of which was a "B and B". It was here we saw those first two birds. We also tested those donuts from Hackett's Orchards.
 

Ed Hyde's family home for 150 years.

The schoolhouse is next door to the cabin.

A stop at the nations oldest original log house was the next pause.  Mr. Hyde's cabin was home for his family for 150 years .He taught in the schoolhouse next door many oft he years he lived there 


 That was it for the day on the road , but we had time to do some photo work and write letters before supper. The evening meal was one of the those wonderful "cold , wet, rainy day specialties..." Tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches". It was the right dish for the right time. Thanks Ruth!

Tomorrow we hope for some sunshine and a chance to get to the Missisiquoi NWR . It is a few miles north of where we are .  The sun should provide the light for some quality photos. See you then.