Against the Flow

It is a calm day, the calm before the storm, of course.  We will get a half foot of snow tonight. 

With the likely hood of the inland rivers being frozen, at least likely enough that it isn't worth the drive, I return to the Wheeler Marsh. The tide is halfway out by the time I get my act together. It is an easy paddle down to the marsh on the ebb current.  There are two Loons in the usual spot, in the current near the drawbridge. I flush Mallards and Black Ducks fro the riverside all of the way down to the marsh.

Once I am in the marsh, the current is against me as marshes fill and drain... going into the marsh from any direction is against the current. I try one of my favorite inner channels, but after a hundred yards, it's obvious that I won't be able to exit out of the far end.  As I spin the canoe, I catch sight of a Harrier gliding into the marsh  behind me. At Cat Island I find a Goose hunter set up with some decoys.  He reports that it has been quiet.  The other day when I was here, I flushed a hundred Geese from this spot. I find a couple more hunters in the bottom of the marsh. They might as well have a flashing neon sign saying, "Stay Away!  Hunters!".  Geese and Ducks were well distributed throughout the marsh five days ago. But, with just a few hunters present, I haven't seen a Duck or Goose since entering the marsh.

I cross over and head up Nell's Channel, against the current of course.  There is a solitary Loon in the channel, by the upper island where I usually see a Loon or two.  I flush a Harrier from the shore - that makes six sightings, although it is probably not that many birds.