Although it’s still quite cool in the morning, a sunrise walk along the Salt Marsh Trail is well worth the trip. Since the first section of the trail off Bissett Road is in a wooded area, it takes a bit of time to get into the open part of the marsh. The challenge is to get to the marsh before the sun rises.
The only birds around were seagulls and ducks. If there were eagles, they were probably watching from the woods, wondering why any human being would show up so early in the morning to disturb their peace and quiet.
Several bridges along the trail provide a break from its walking surface of finely crushed gravel.
Rivers of salt water meander through the marsh grass. The best views are at the centre of the marsh, beyond the first couple of bridges.
Just a few feet below the trail, clam, moon and blue mussel shells provide a varied breakfast selection for seagulls in shallow water.
Once they’re done eating, seagulls often leave the inedible part of their meal along the trail. A Rock Crab shell covered with frost caught my eye as it glistened in the sunlight among the large rocks and straw on the edge of the trail.
On the way out of the marsh, the light of the risen sun revealed reflections of stones and trees in the water that weren’t apparent earlier.
For more spring images along the Salt Marsh Trail, see http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/spring-along-the-salt-marsh-trail/
For more information about the Salt Marsh Trail, see http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/the-salt-marsh-trail/
