Sunday, November 30, 2014

Fort De Soto

Sunday, November 30, 2014
Checked out of the Chase Inn and Suites.  After breakfast, of course.  A good spread.  The scrambled eggs had sausage mixed in.  On Saturday, it was ham.  I again carried out two pieces of bread to make a sandwich with the summer sausage and cheddar I brought from home.




 On the water at Soldiers Hole, Fort  DeSoto Park, just before 10.



 


 


 




 


 


In the tidal bay behind North Beach


 


 



 


Conch? Or whelk? I could see its foot, but did not get it with the camera.
 
 Across the channel, Shell Keys.   On busy summer weekends powerboat traffic has prevented me from making the crossing
 One more reason I love November
 


 
White pelicans on the backside of Shell Key






Netting mullet



 I do not think I have ever seen more white pelicans
 Bowing to the Don Cesar











 I asked the mulleters who came first.  They said the pelicans were free loaders.  I did some research on the mullet netting.  The mullets roe is popular in Asia.  This is the time of year to get it. 
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/commercial/mullet/   These guys must be using haul seines.

 


 Sunshine Skyway
 
 Osprey and gull had a dispute over a post
One for the underdog, er, bird
 
 


 




 Break on Shell Key

 


 
 
 
 


 

 
Off  the Arrowhead Picnic area. Across, and east of Shell Key


 

 

Sponge. I  think.
 



Mergansers


 Another species of duck
 


 

These white whatever they are were on the bottom in many places.  At Caladesi on Saturday, too.

 


 


 

 Landed at 5 to 3.
Started a bike ride with a family photo

 

 Arrowhead Picnic area
 


 


 


 
 

 
Self guided nature trail head



 
 



 



 

 
 Back at the trail head, I had a choice. Ride my bike the wrong way on the park road for a few hundred feet, or, take the long way.  Being the upstanding citizen that I am, I took the long way
 Besides, I might see a dolphin.
I did. Unable to get t photo.  Only one of the weekend.

 
The tidal cove at North Beach


 


 





 

 

 Off the bike, on the Gulf Pier







 


 


 



 

 


 
 
 5:42. Thanksgiving weekend is over.  Except for the drive home.