Speaking of ice conditions and water temps in general...

Folks, I have worked in the emergency services field for 17 years and I
currently live and breath public safey and code enforcement in my current
office. That being said, I have pulled my share of unlucky 'souls' from the
states wintery rivers and bays.

PLEASE be very cautious on the cambridge docks. I was there before 8AM on
Saturday and already felt nervously overcrowded at times. This was partialy
due to the fact that in order to see the goldeneye, one had to get all they
way out on the tip of the dock. With 6 or 8 people all trying to squeeze
onto the last tips of dock real estate with scopes in tow, things got a
little too unsafe for my liking. At one time, I looked down and found that
my tripod leg was millimeters from the edge and my right foot was only
inches from stepping off. I HAD NO IDEA that I was that periously close from
what likely would have been an icey end....

To put it quite plainly, the water at this temperature is DEADLY. With
Cambride's dock's high levels, lack of boat ladders, and emergecny response
time, you WILL NOT likely survive a fall into the marina; so, PLEASE be
careful, be curteous, be patient, stay safe, and stay alive.

I know this sounded preachy... but consider it your safety breifing;
certificates are availible by request -lol. ;o)

Good Birding,
Chris Starling
DoD FPI/FFII/EMTB/FInstII/FOII