Go When the Weather Eases

It is going to stay in the 30's, but the horrid 40 degree rain of yesterday has gone and left clear skies with a NW wind hanging in at 10 mph or less. Still getting used to the colder weather, I let the day come on some and put in at half past eleven.  The higher than normal tide has been dropping for two hours, so the current has built up a full head of steam.  It is an easy paddle down to the marsh.

I pass a pair of Common Loons fishing in the river about a hundred yards below the drawbridge.

I head into the Maze through the uppermost entrance, and flush 8 Black Ducks at the first wide spot.  The water is already lower than I expected, but I find the alternate route that I used on my last visit.  I don't remember it being as shallow as it is, but after getting 20 yards into it, I pick up a good strong current heading the way I am.  Because the tide is dropping, the current shows that there is an exit ahead.

A pair of duck hunters in a boat-blind motor past shortly after I exit the maze.  They're the only people I see in the marsh. 

Spot a pair of Harriers that seem to be hunting as a team. 

I make my way over to the east shore, although I have to backtrack once when my route goes to mudflat, again earlier than I expected. I flush the two Harriers from the spartina.  Their dark feathers and white butt patch are sharp in the day's bright sunlight.

It is a crawl back upriver against a still stiff tidal ebb and a quartering headwind.