11/14/2021 - Multnomah Channel, Gilbert Boat Ramp, Sauvie Island, OR

Time: 2.25 hours

Distance: 7.86 miles

We put into Multnomah Channel at Gilbert Boat Ramp on Sauvie Island OR on an overcast morning, paddled up-river for just over an hour and then turned back. Though the weather wasn't the greatest with intermittent rain and some wind the river was totally empty and peaceful. Along the way we got to see four Bald Eagles sparing with each other over the water. We'd seen quite a number of Bald Eagle in previous trips but we'd never seen them behaving in this way. They would "fight" in the air diving each other and screeching then fly low above the water back and forth over the river. One even decided to try and prey on a small water foul that was floating in the water. Every time he'd dive down the smaller bird would just duck under the water only to pop back up after the Eagle had flown by. We watched this behavior for several minutes before moving on.

Lynda preparing to put in. She wasn't in the mood to have her picture taken.

Lynda paddling up-river.

Multnomah Channel from Dane's kayak.

Lynda paddling back down-river.

Multnomah Channel from the Gilbert Boat Ramp just after getting out.