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Posted by Susan Schneider on 20:59:45 02/05/08
I launched at 7:30 AM from my usual access point, the 173rd St. site. Two large flocks of White Ibis and DC Cormorants cruised overhead when I arrived, enjoying a pretty hefty wind. I made for one of the quieter mangrove tunnels to avoid the moderate chop (1-foot waves, some whitecaps). One Ring-billed Gull near my path never did take flight. Skirting a small island on its lee side, I inadvertently flushed a varied bunch of waders, including one Anhinga (always a bit of a surprise to see them on salt water).
I peered unsuccessfully into the calmer water for views of fish, slowing my pace, then picked it up again as I re-entered the waves. Suddenly--an explosion all around me! Two-foot splashes, boiling water, chaotic waves cascading and rebounding against the island . . . I dug in and flashed forward for balance and escape, mystified, but the maelstrom moved with me at first. When I stopped, though, it continued, and I eagerly scanned for signs of what had almost hit me. I'd had no advance warning, and now everything became quiet--and then a pod of very startled dolphins broke the surface for a breath. All I can think is that they failed to notice me until I was right on top of them--at which point they fled from a deep area near the island into the shallows that constitutes most of that area of the bay.
When my heart stopped racing, I resumed my course to the tunnel. What a peaceful place of beautiful reflections and masses of periwinkles, a few waders and a kingfisher. And one Prairie Warbler singing! Does that mean it's spring? On the way back, more birds: Black-crowned Night Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, and Red-breasted Merganser.
Good nature-watching, look out below,
Susan
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