It is an easy paddle. Low tide is still approaching but, today it will be a high low tide and a low high tide..the short difference making for tidal currents that are of little consequence. There is a breeze off of the sea, but that too is of no bother. In fact, rather than being chilly, it seems to bring some warmth and softness to the day.
I flush six hooded mergansers, all paired, at the first of the big bends. As I near the last of the big bends, fifteen Canada geese fly noisily off with the sixteenth chasing from a hundred yards behind. In addition, there are a good number of killdeer scattered along the shore, one in sight more often than not. The quantity says migration to me. I never see that many during the summer.
Halfway between the big bend and the arch bridge a whistle catches my ear and overhead I spot an osprey with a what appears to be a damaged leg. It comes back into view just above the arch bridge, and then, at the first turn after, a second osprey flies by with an unidentified hawk seemingly flying escort. I doubt that they are nesting here, more likely on the way through. But, if the bent leg osprey stays around it will be easy to identify (if it is a bent leg, of course).
The river runs thin as I get to the Duck Hole Farms. I turn back knowing that to continue involves a bit of casual wading and picking my way through shallows.
