A Different Breed

We were driving through Westfield on route 202, and swung into Hampton Ponds state park for a look. The gate to the main parking/pavilion/beach area was closed, but we found another access a little further down the road. This access is apparently where that 'special breed' of sportsman park before walking out onto the wind swept plains of the frozen pond. Those who snub their noses at the elements, the seasons, luck, even gravity...

The ice fisherman.



Once out in the middle of the pond, they'll (seemingly insanely) drill a hole directly underneath themselves into the very ice that support them from falling into the abyss, then hunker down next to the breech, drop a line and wait.



I know it's pretty much completely safe, especially after the cold snap we've been through the past few weeks, but just the idea of cutting through ice that your standing on...I'll remain here on terra firma, thank you...

For those that don't have that compunction, annual ice fishing derbies are held on this pond. They're sponsored by the The Hampton Ponds Association. This local civic organization also holds bass tournaments here during the saner fishing months, as well as a 4th of July boat parade...

The other dominant ice dwellers on Saturday afternoon were of the mounted, speed-chasing variety; tearing into the ice and flying across the big pond on snowmobiles, quads, three-wheelers and dirt bikes.



The ice makes a good New England version of the salt flats out west; where level ground, lack of obstacles, and clear visibility make your speed limited only by your machine's capability...





Over on a smaller pond on the other side of the access road, a quieter congregation was formed.



A large group of ducks were passing their time peacefully scanning a small patch of unfrozen water for tidbits of food.



It's amazing that the ducks can live in and on such frigid conditions, apparently completely oblivious to the cold...



...almost like ice fishermen.

A couple of people pulled up next to us, got out of the car and began tossing bits of bread into the water. This sent the normally docile birds into a frenzy and soon the patch of water was a churning, frothy jumble of competing bills, wings and paddles.





But the bread soon ran out, and the couple got back into their warm car and left. The ducks just as quickly resumed their peaceful cohabitation, with friendships and relations more or less intact.



Just as we were leaving, we saw that one major representative of the ice-loving sect had finally made their appearance; the skaters. This couple came poorly equipped, but enjoying themselves none the less.



Skates, lawn chairs, what have you. I guess the point is to just get out there, on the ice...