Saturday, December 11, 2010 I began my annual trip to Sanibel Island, Florida. Got an early start, 6:30 am or so. Fog from Disney World to Fort Myers, where the skies cleared. Perfect. But, when I got on the causeway to Sanibel, fog again closed in. I pulled of the cuaseway, took a look as San Carlos Bay, and deceided the wind and fog made it a bad day to be on the open water. Not good to be crossing the channel wehn boats can't see me. So, I got back on the causeway and headed to the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refugee where I could paddle protected waters where in the places motors are allowed, no wake is allowed.
I was in the water, launching from the desingnated spot on the Wildlife Drive, at 10:30. Paddled a narrow channel along the Drive, fog still pretty thick.
I was looking for a spot where I often see rosette spoonbills. I saw plenty on the drive in, but where I was going I can get close to the pink birds. The rookery was empty.
The above spoonbills, and other birds, were in a shallow open area across from the observation tower. An area I paddled without a problem in August, today I had to take the paddle apart to push myself forward in hope of finding floatable water. After a while, I gave up, got out of the kayak and walked back to the channel along the Drive.
There are several openings in the magroves that open into San Carlos Bay. I paddled through one of them.
Made my way along the mangrove lined shore, looking fot the main entrance back to the open, protected area. It was windy, I was headed into it, so I re entered at a seconday entrance.
Back to the channel along Wildlife Drive. I have a better view than do those in the Tower.
Past the Tower, the channel narrows. I backed up, then turned around.
Past the spoonbills and ibis in the mudflats. In the summer, I paddled over these flats.
Yellow Crowned night heron |
Belted kingfisher |
Yakdave mobile. |
Landed at 10 past two, headed to the Sanibel Arms West, my home with sister and her friend for the next four days. I checked in, unloaded the car, hopped on the bike and pedaled to the Shell Island Beach Club where other family members had 2 condos.
Olivia says "Dave"
A walk on the beach with a nephew.
And so ends Day One. At least the photos. Dinner was "a heavy appitizer thing" as my brother described it. A little of this, a bit more of that, with family and friends in his condo. With a bottomless rum and coke for me. Good thing I wasn't driving. And had a flashlight for the bike ride back to Sanibel Arms West. Never realixed how dark and twisty East Gulf Drive is.
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