Windchill

The wind was more than expected when I got to the river, it was coming downriver at just under 15mph, although my estimate may be off a bit given that there was a nippy windchill added on to the 30F temperature. Since it was low tide and my options would be limited down in the marsh, I crossed the river and headed up into the quad islands, which would have some protection from the wind as well as a downwind return trip.

Heading up the shore, I flush a Great Blue Heron, and I find a lone Coot sheltering at the tip of Carting Island. There are quite a few Ducks, mostly Mallards or Blacks in the channel.  They move off as I approach, but not much farther than the opposite side of the small island. 

Coot

It is a slow trip up the westernmost channel - between Peacock Island and the shore.  The tide has just started to come in, but since the water is not much more than 6 or 8 inches deep for most of the distance, so I just poke along trying not to stick myself in the mud. At the mid point of the channel, where there is a natural stone dike, I wait for about ten minutes while the water rises, and then squeak a tight turn around the end of the rocks.

At the top of the islands, I flush three immature Bald Eagles from the shoreline trees.  One of them catches something when they're about 150 yards upriver and another makes a steal after a few moments of dogfighting. I continue up to Pope's Mill site before making my retreat. It is cold enough that I'm not motivated for a longer paddle against the current.

I manage to make it through the narrow Carting/Peacock channel. This is the shallowest of the channels and when I passed it heading upstream, it was exposed mud. I flush a Harrier while in there, and a Snipe.  I don't get a good look at the Snipe (which is normal), but it is the right size and right color, and it flies a speedy zigzag, in the air for barely a second before landing.  That is pretty much how Snipe act when flushed.  It is my second Snipe sighting in two canoe trips. 

Coming out of the islands, a Common Loon gives me a call.  Their winter calls, which they use rarely, also seem to be much more muted than in summer.  I cross over the river by the drawbridge and find two Great Blue Herons just down from the launch, where they seem to be discussing fishing rights.