Gary Sredzienski, Accordion Warrior

Spruce creek is so large that I found all winter I would get back at sunset or after. This is taken lying on my back in the vicinity of Mill and Broad Coves returning home to Dion Ave. The red sunset was reflecting in the window in the house across the creek.

Fresh water running in at grid I-2.

Taken at grid K-6 looking toward Route 1. Swimming on a real windy day. You can get a feel of how big the waves get smack in the middle of the creek. I actually love it when the water gets rough! Don't worry - winter is the only time I would hang out in the middle. Boat season - you won't find me there.

F-5 you need to blow this up to see the trash/mess on the side. The ice prevented me from getting closer.

Taken at H-2. Looks like that's as far as I could swim into that side creek that day. It was iced up and could not reach I-2.

Photos from the Creek Man
April 4, 2006 - From Gary Sredzienski

Here is one boat. This is at dead low tide in the middle of the creek. It's pretty inaccessible when it's at this tide. The mud flats go a long way in each direction.. You can reach it by swimming there or kayak at dead low tide.		Here is the other boat which is visible at low tide and easily accessible by Eagle Point and Admiralty Village.
This photo came out awful. But it is one of two nets in the creek out side of Broad Cove. I asked the people living on the water near these nets to see if it were theirs. They said they were placed there some time ago to propagate the clam beds.		It was a sunny day and still the clarity of the photos was so poor. Golf ball trash.
Up by Route 1... The day was in the upper 30's. It's difficult to see, but when it gets above freezing notice the fresh water running in to this small side finger creek. Cattails in the back. A source of sediment.		Every February or early March I see these worms floating in both Spruce and Chauncey Creeks!!! No idea what they are! It just seems so weird... Everything in the creek is asleep. Even the crabs are under the mud sleeping. The first signs of life in early March are these worms suspended in the water.

Check out this aerial photo of the creek up by route 1. The tiny little finger side creeks is where i have been finding bottles, but they are also areas where i have learned a little bit about where sediment is coming in from. Last week i couldn't get into the small finger creeks because they were frozen solid, but with the warmth they are once again opened up. What i noticed is that there are cattails and fresh water running off the ends into the creek. that's why it freezes because it is mostly fresh water. but when its warm, you can see all the fresh water pouring in. I have to photograph that. what is neat is that the bottles that i find up there have no barnacles on them!!!! the water is not saline enough for barnacles!

It explains why the visibility has been so poor this winter. when it's above freezing there is lots of runoff - sediment coming in. a few weeks back the visibility was becoming outstanding, but with the warmth and rains. can't see too much, but it gets clearer every day when the temps are cold. SO... pray for a solid week of 20 degree temps - no precipitation or wind!!

I have made it a habit to always swim with the camera now. I am always running into something interesting - always learning. came across some granite outcrops the other day and bubbles were coming out of them!!

Creek man pretty angry today! I can no longer contain myself and must speak up. I just got back from my daily swim and I am so tired of swimming over people's trash! Heading towards route 1 just beyond Roger's park there is a white house (not sure if it's the house with the horses). It's one thing to leave decomposing lawn furniture on the bank of the creek as they have, but it's another ball game leaving trash in the water. Today I rolled up approximately 60 to 100 feet of electric/telephone wire from the bottom in front of that house. There are some rusty aluminum poles and 2 very large abandoned mesh fishing (smelt?) nets. There are no markers or buoys for these nets. Both are partially submerged beneath the silt. I came close to bringing them in today, but I thought i best check with you first.

And I am so sick and tired of picking up people's golf balls from the bottom of spruce and chauncey creeks. didn't know that creeks are driving ranges. Living next to the water is a privilege, but doesn't give anyone the right to trash the water ways.

And all the development coming in. Creek man is coming very close to writing an editorial to all the local newspapers. Very ticked off...

Update December 31, 2005 from Gary: last week the water was really clearing up and the visibility was getting outstanding, but the rain made it a bit cloudy... several thousand antique bottles are no longer on the bottom of the creek, but in my basement!!!! the more recent bottles i've cleaned off the bottom and brought to recycling. i've cleaned out all the golf balls from the bottom too!!! but i'm sure there's more. there are interesting things i can take pictures of.

I've made cleaning up trash off the bottom part of my swims. getting 2 things done at the same time. Chauncey creek needs the most help in regards to garbage collection. i asked several folks over there to give me a hand, but got no response. just needed someone to go in my kayak as i get brown beer bottles off the bottom. maybe someone in spring could help me over there???

Update January 2, 2006: I just came back from Walmart and purchased 2 underwater cameras! I look forward to start taking photos. I may have to wait though. I swam approximately 2.5 miles today and the visibility was poor. We had snow on New Year's eve. I also noticed runoff today coming off the banks because temps were above freezing. BUT!! up in Gerry's cove i found 2 bottles from the 1880s - one from the Auburn Drug and Chemical company. I emailed the Auburn library this evening to find out when the company was in existence. also a cork top type - Chesebrough Mfg. Co..Vaseline. 1880s/90s. Look forward to good conditions to take photos!

Creek Man Has a New Creek!
November 8, 2005 - From Gary Sredzienski
I've already swam all of Spruce creek since I moved [to Dion Ave] 2 weeks ago. Swam under route 1 last week, and just found out about the news and the work to remove the dam!!! I've already found a very old ship wreck in the creek!! Will try to get one of those underwater disposable cameras and take pictures. also found a site with old bottles. I hope no one minds me swimming. I hug the sides and will not be a hassle to boaters. I know this sounds strange, but i just read in the article that the water quality is below standards at spruce creek. I have to say, Spruce creek appears much cleaner than chauncey creek!! I better join the creek association!! It's my new home.