Cedar Key, August 16. 2014

On the Gulf in time for sunrise this morning.

 On the water at 6:55

Sunrise, behind Dog Island, 7:01

I thought the great blue heron on the channel marker was good for composition.

 

 To the Number 2 Channel

 

 

 High tide. You know what that means.

Time to look for roseate spoonbills

 If you did not know that, welcome to Dave's Yak Tales.

Caught the last of a small flock flying overhead

 

 

The flock was the largest contingent of spoonies I saw.

 

Paddling through the mangroves, looking for beautiful birds is a fine way to spend a Saturday morning

 Young, and adult, black crowned night herons.

They, and spoonbills, look like characters on Saturday morning cartoons

 

 

 

Landed at 8:30. My car was still the only one in the beach/launch parking area

View from 331, 8:47.  10:20 now.  A shower just passed.  Time to pack a lunch and get back in the kayak.

Under way, again, at 10:59.

Past Dock Street, out towards Astena Otie Key

 

 

 Seas a light chop, no dark clouds, looked like a good day to make the voyage to Seahorse Key.

 Seahorse Key

Grassy Key

 40 minute later, Seahorse Key

Saw a dolphin at the inlet to the lighthouse dock. I did not go into the inlet.

 

 

 

 

 Magnificent frigate bird

Seeing the red in the mangroves, I thought, those spoonbills are bright.

 

 

Not spoonbills.  Male magnificent frigate birds looking to get laid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First, or last? white pelican of the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 Tide was out.  I was between Seahorse Key and the wading great egrets

 

 

Saw two bonnet head sharks in the shallows.  The have the odd shaped head, like a hammerhead, but curved.  Small.

 

There is only room for two cormorants on a sign.  Twice, I saw a third try to land.  Both times, the odd bird out was rebuffed.

 Back way to the lighthouse

 

 

 I was going to land.  Eat a sandwich.  But, I decided to paddle around the bend, and then, land.

 

One problem with my lunch plan.  Once I was around the bend, it was a long walk to the beach due to the tide.

 So, I did not stop.  Had a plum and granola bar on the way back.

Attempt to photo a sea turtle.  Saw two. Maybe three, I forget.

 

Landed just past 2:30

331, from the kayak at water's edge.  I ate the delayed sandwich. Better toasted, anyway.  Composed Yak Tales, shared photos, until it was time to bike to Sandy's Produce.

Checking in on the kayak.

 A house I never noticed before. Probably because the live oak keeps it private.

 

Halfway there, I realized I did not have my wallet.   Went back to get it.

 

 

 

You don't need a kayak to see spoonbills and more in Cedar Key

 

 

 Did dinner prep.  Filling kettles with water and placing them on the stove.  But first, I drove back to Sandy's.  The clams have a very pungent aroma.   Far more aromatic than I have experienced.  I was told this is normal for this time of year.  They are spawning.  As long as the shells stay closed, they are fine.

6:18, out to sea.

Number 2 Channel

 Too low to safely navigate to one of my spoonbill spots

 

 

Coming back

Wooden post in a small mangrove islet. From the old RR? Telephone, or maybe, telegraph pole?

Nature's Landing, landing. 

Tide had come in a little bit, I paddled past the wreck. Felt one of the oyster bars with my paddle, not with the bottom of the kayak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 minutes to sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Had to look behind me in the Channel to see the sun going down

 

Out of the Number 2 Channel

 

 

 

 Landed at 8:13

Ready to serve dinner, an hour later. Pasta, tomato sauce, garlic, pepper, red onion, green pepper, butter, shrimp, and stinky clams.