Sitting in a Marsh

I set out down the East River not too long after low tide - long enough that I can pick my way through the boulders above the first bend, but not so long that I can avoid wading through part of the Gravel Flats.  It is sunny with a mid 60's temperature and a moderate wind out of the east, supposedly.  

Snapping Turtle

There are numerous Yellow Legs picking over the low tide mud flats on either side of the river in this first section.  I also spot a couple Osprey soaring overhead. In front of the old farm, I spot a snapping turtle well mired in the mud flat. I image that that turtle is just going to wait it out, not that snappers are particularly worried about being in mud. The tide coming in will let it swim out and save it a million calories of effort.  Before the bridge, I see a Great Egret, a Green Heron, and a Mature Bald Eagle.

Near the Big Bends, I start seeing Willets and some Least Sandpipers, and a couple GreatEgrets and one Snowy Egret. 

Least Sandpipers

Below the railroad bridge, I head into the Sneak, even though the water level might not be high enough for passage.  Not feeling especially motivated, I veer off to the Long Cut.  I run out of water - or rather run out of width, the channel being narrower than the canoe, by the Osprey Island.  And, I just sit there for awhile.

Willet