Some Birds and Dolphins to Lighten My Reader's Monday!

The wild life around Southport is endlessly entertaining to me. It is not just the challenges of sea kayaking that draw me on to the water. It is the water world we live on that thrills me and entices me. I am not exactly a "birder," although I do sometimes exhibit the symptoms. Sometimes I am taking pictures when big waves break over me. I have risked a flip many times in order to get a dolphin or bird photo. What can I say? I am enchanted by nature.

There are these comical looking birds that "hang out" around Southport.  I believe they are American Oystercatchers. They have a vaguely Puffin-like appearance, or maybe I am thinking of Penguins? Either way, their long bills almost look like they are holding carrots in their mouths. Like all the wildlife around Southport, they are skittish, as any smart wild animal should be. So I was happy when I off-loaded my photos from last week this morning, and I had a few good shots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_oystercatcher


Dolphins. What can I say? Show me someone who is not fascinated by dolphins. I admit that I would be curious and somewhat appalled by such a person. Dolphins represent intense intelligence that is not human. Just spending a few minutes with them close to my boat thrills me, and fills me with awe and appreciation. Coach feels the same way. We always pause and watch when they are near.