Local Water

I put in under the high bridge.  There are quite a few cars in the lot - no doubt fishermen or hunters. It is sunny and just under 30F. The tide is falling and I cross the river, eddy hopping the bridge abutments in a 3mph current. 

I flush a Great Blue Heron, a Harrier, and several Mallards as I approach the far bank. Then I head upriver through the four islands, taking the narrow channel between Carting and Peacock islands. The islands are a no hunting zone and it shows. I flush more than 50 ducks - Blacks or Mallards, as I go.  It's far more than I would see in the larger Wheeler Marsh after one or two shotgun blasts.  The birds I flush circle upriver and head off to the side to more secluded ponds and marsh areas. 

Leaving the islands, I follow the west shore noting the sedimentary bedrock that has been tipped a full 90 degrees. In mid-river even with the where Peck's Mill was, there is a flock of twenty Buffleheads.  I often spot a few Buffleheads in this open section of the river.  It's just open water, so other than having long sight lines, I have no idea why they would prefer this spot.

I paddle up to the bottom of the Dragonfly factory, cross the river, and return riding the end of the ebb current.