East River in the Calm

I put in at Foote Bridge on a quiet and humid day with a weather forecast of possible rain and thunderstorms, although there was nothing threatening to the naked eye. 

The tide is falling, but still somewhere near the high point.  I pass under the bridge and then under the half-fallen tree that has formed an entryway arch for the last couple years.  A Goldfinch lands in a tree on the right bank.  At the first bend, a croaking from the phragmites produces a Green Heron that is being harassed by a Redwing Blackbird.  The Blackbird probably has a nest in there. The Heron flies to the next bend.

Goldfinch

It is calm as I cross the gravel flats.  I am still groggy from last night's restless sleep, but groggy seems to fit the conditions perfectly.

Green Heron

At the Big Bends, I spot a single Glossy Ibis feeding next to a Snowy Egret.  The Ibis flies over and past me as I fumble with my camera.  The Egret soon follows suit. 

I start seeing Willets as I near the railroad bridge.  When I get into the Sneak, the Willets are more interested in me.  I'm not sure if the young have fledged yet.  I'd expect more attention if the young were all still nest bound but even so, I regularly get a Willet flying a half circle around me alerting all the others that I am there.

From the Sneak, I head down Bailey Creek, then the Neck River, and back to the East River.  The Osprey still have their young in the nest, but the chicks do occasionally poke their heads out to see what's going on. I pass a kayaker who is still upriver a hundred yards in the Neck.  It is the only person in a boat that I will see.  I spot two sets of Oyster Catchers in the Neck river - three birds in each group.

Oyster Catchers

I have an opposing current and a headwind when I turn up the East River.  The headwind is more than worth the extra effort bringing some cool to a humid day.  The groggy feeling has passed, the day has turned out to be quite beautiful with blue sky and a few clouds.  I pass nonstop through a river-long herd of turtles, each one sticking the tip of it's head out of the water and disappearing in a blink when I get within ten yards or so.

My timing has been good and I avoid having to wade on my return trip.