It’s Spring Break for the kids and what better way to spend time together than checking out the local river herring as they swim upstream to spawn. This spectacular event happens annually in many of Rhode Island’s streams and rivers emptying into the sea, including at the Gilbert Stuart Stream. The “bucky,” as they’re often called, are an anadromous fish, swimming from Narragansett Bay, up the length of Narrow River, and proceed up to Gilbert Stuart Stream where females will lay up to 100,000 eggs. When seasons change and Summer turns into Fall, the fry will swim downstream and make their way out to the bay to spend the next 3-4 years maturing. At maturity, they will return to their birthplace to complete the cycle and lay their eggs.
This phenomenon is awesome to witness no matter how many times you’ve seen it. So I gather my 3 boys and nephew and head to the stream. They are difficult to contain, leap out of the car and book it towards the woods where the water gracefully flows over the stones and cuts through the forest. The woods are just starting to come alive again. What at first glance looks all grey and brown, once entered in the woods you notice tiny bright green buds on branches and the floor is soft with 
equally bright moss. The boys run to the edge of the stream, each with the hopes of spotting the first bucky. In seconds, 3 of the 4 see the first group swimming tightly together, fighting their way against the strong pull of the stream. It did take me a little longer however. With the glare of the sunshine on the very active stream, and the fish being so similar in color of the stones that lay throughout, you really need to put on your “science eyes,” as my 3 year old would say.
As my eyes are becoming acclimated to the water and spotting fish, I hear the boys up ahead, their voices filled with excitement as they huddle around one of the many treasures of this day: a salamander. 
They gently put him back where he was found and continue exploring, every now and then returning to the water’s edge to catch a glimpse of the swimming fish.
We decided after some time to take our journey across the street towards Gilbert Stuart Museum to continue our adventure. The setting of this place is beautiful. It doesn’t open until May, but the grounds are open to the public with the request of a monitary donation of your choosing in the box at the entrance. As we enter my first thoughts are the $2 in my back pocket. We head over to the man made fish ladder that is built to 
aide in the spawning process, allowing the herring to get over the dam. A couple of men had discovered a sea lamprey that had attached itself to one of the herring and were investigating the parasite in a bucket. They said it is a rare find. The boys and I cautiously studied the nasty creature from a safe distance.
The sun was shining on this 60 degree Spring afternoon and none of us were ready to retreat yet. So we headed toward a trailhead that leads back through the woods on the opposite side of the road. There were beautiful paths carved out by the passage of other explorers on this nature trail. We met another boy whom my nephew had known from soccer, enjoying himself with his grandparents who were much more prepared than I with binoculars hanging from their neck. Upon greeting they told us they saw a Bald Eagle at the top of the trail. They offered to show us and allow use of their binoculars. We anxiously followed and, to all of our surprise, were able to see this magnificent creature perched high over Carr Pond. When first spotted, I knew it was a large bird but it wasn’t until I was handed the binoculars that there was no denying that it was definitely a Bald Eagle, its majestic white head contrasting its large dark body. Chills of excitement were felt all over when realizing I was truly viewing this bird through my own eyes. I remembered growing up and being told our national bird, the Bald Eagle, was on the brink of extinction. Then, it was only seen in Alaska and only a few of our northern states. It was hard to believe it was right in front of me, along a river where the herring are now struggling in numbers and are unlawful to fish due to possible extinction. The Bald Eagle is a symbol of hope for these fish.
It was hard to leave today and I know the kids felt that way too. On my way out I put the two dollars in the donation box along with the last of my cash, a ten dollar bill. At that moment, I wished I had 
more. It was a day without lines, without astronomical entrance fees, a day without being pushed along like herded animals only to want to leave as soon as you’ve entered. Don’t get me wrong, I love museums, zoos and aquariums, but today was extraordinary. At dinner tonight I expressed my feelings simply by saying I had a great day. My sometimes (mostimes) hard to please 14 year old whole-heartedly agreed, followed by my 3 year old who said, “it was a wonderful hike!” I look forward to next year buckies!
