Stick in the Mud

I just returned from my morning birding attempt. There are two, count ‘em, two rarities spotted at the Mudflats in the Charlestown Breachway yesterday. A Little Stint and a Ruff – both Asian birds, in fact people are starting to wonder why we are getting this “fallout”.

I heard someone postulating yesterday that is might be that sand cloud that has disoriented or re-routed them. So far it has only been one of each species, my gut says it would be more of each, if that was it.

I had planned to Kayak there on Sunday, but a few comments from people made me think I wouldn’t be able to get out of the kayak once I got in. That and feeling a little under the weather made me abandon the excursion. That was a mistake.

I just tried to walk to there and very literally got stuck in the mud. I had watched an older couple make the walk to the point last night and it didn’t seem too bad. Needless to say, past the point it where it become dicey.

Clearly, I didn’t chose my route well, and was sunk up to my thighs. I believe I was muttering expletives staring with “F”. Muttering is probably not the right word it was more like spitting.

I took a few calming breaths and decided I better get going or I really might be stuck. I failed to mention it was before 6am and although there we a few people out, no one was nearby. That has its pluses and its minuses.

Plus - no one saw me

Minus – no one saw me

I started considering I might really be stuck here and the adrenaline kicked in. I’m not quite sure how I managed it. I got very dirty and I think I bent the walking pole I brought with me.

I rose from the mud, but decided I was done.

I tried to find another route back.

I could not.

Then a man caring a scope (a birder’s telescope) appeared.

Almost like an angel.

I asked him if he’d been here before. Nope, but he had a better strategy than me as he worked his way to where I was. He asked me how to get across – I did not know.

Mistake #1 – not choosing a time when I could follow someone out.

Mistake #2 – wearing lightweight water shoes – that I almost lost in the mud.

So many Zen birding lessons today – most important one. Kayak!

The new walking poles on-order!