Timing

The 4th of July is not one of my favorite holidays, although based on my interest in history, it should be.  It has, unfortunately, become little more than an excuse to blow off huge amounts of fireworks while drinking large quantities of beer, and maybe a reckless driving of "the boat" - basically nothing more than a day off for too many people. A friend asked what I was doing for the fourth, and I told him that if there was a Reservation rodeo anywhere in the area, I would go, but there isn't.  The best and most meaningful 4th of July that I have ever had was attending a 4th of July Powwow/rodeo.  The actually had speeches!

A Willet in the maze

I start early and catch the last 20 minutes of the rising tide.  There are several boat trailers at the launch, which no doubt belong to fishermen who are already out wherever they think the fish are biting.  I head down river on a wavy glass surface.  In the mile to the marsh I see only one small fishing launch anchored near Pepe's Rock.

I head into the maze having met rule #1 (don't enter at low water) and checking carefully to meet rule #2 - don't let anyone see you enter the maze.  This isn't a selfish secrecy thing; I just believe that exploring should provide rewards and anyone else that figures out the maze will be duly rewarded for their curiosity.  I flush a couple Great Blue Herons and spot the usual several Egrets and Yellow Crowned Night Herons.  The Willets do a reasonable job of scolding me, and I scare up a mix of about a dozen Mallards and Black Ducks. More surprisingly, I pass all the way through the maze without making a wrong turn.  
 

An injured terrapin.  Able to swim, but unable to dive.  

From there, I zig and zag eastward across the marsh and then make my way back up the river, without seeing anyone else in the marsh.  I'm out before the holiday boaters are awake.