Three ibises precariously landed on the rope railing of the dock as I arrived at the landing. They were facing into the wind already blowing, quite unlike my last sail in early May where I half sailed, half drifted to the Northeast Point of Bull Island. I was on a mission that May day; on […]
I motored over to Bull Island with friends Ben Saunders and Rod Bungey – Ben for wildlife photography, Rod for all that the island has to offer, and me to view the second and larger of the two December breaches of the Jacks Creek impoundment. With the island’s new configuration, we walked the Sheepshead Ridge
I was listening to bird sounds at the landing before launching Kingfisher. I had named the Sunfish this bird for some similar characteristics – active, small, not speedy, and a distinctive look while in flight. I recalled last October finding a quiet place, a secret spot, along the Middle Prong in Walker Valley in the
A place of many natural attractions, Bull Island now had a new visiting star, a flamingo, courtesy of Tropical Storm Idalia. The storm had transported many of these birds from the Yucatan throughout the southeast and even to Ohio and Wisconsin. These pink creatures became magnets for a range of people from ornithologists to more
The forest canopy resounded with the explosive whoosh of a large bird taking flight – actually two. One lit on a branch above my path, and another to the right. These barred owls, disturbed in the early morning, did not sound their usual call, but instead a hissing (Cornell Lab of Ornithology identifies these calls
Search for Wildlife Read More »
After the launch, the lack of wind was perfect for a kayak trip to Bull Island. These conditions were optimal too for spotting a loggerhead, or perhaps to hear its gasping exhalation. April is the month when I have observed these marine reptiles before the females begin their nesting in May. Paddling steady with the significant
Lookout for loggerheads Read More »
A morning with full sun, no-seeums, and without wind at the landing. A kingfisher flew by; the outgoing tide had two hours before dead low. I had a need to launch at that moment before the landing became dominated by pluff mud. I cast off without raising sail, and unconsciously began paddling while standing. Kingfisher
I stepped onto a frosty deck at the landing, the air 34 degrees, before my neighbor Brian Doran arrived and launched his boat at 7AM. Stepping on to the likewise icy deck required care. We soon were motoring out for a smooth passage to Bull Island. We started our hike around 7:40, ahead of the
Frost, fur and feathers Read More »
As I prepared to launch Kingfisher and looked at the water on the ramp, I ran into my neighbor Yogi, and commented “Plenty of water there”. He exclaimed “But there is no wind. Look at the flag!” I did not look at the massive flagpole behind the landing. Instead my eye noticed the signs on
Movements of a flag Read More »
One decision made – the destination for the sail, a hammock south of the Bull Island public dock on Summerhouse Creek. The second decision – the course, as I headed out Anderson Creek toward Bulls Bay. The speed of the northeast wind had reached the predicted 14 -17 knots, so I took a peek out
Island in the Marsh Read More »
The kingfisher on a flyby rattled a call as I prepared Kingfisher for a sail out to Bulls Bay. With doubts about the weather and the all important wind, I would take the encounter as a positive sign, along with the breeze coming across the extensive marsh separating the mainland from the Bay. Completing the
A point on Bulls Bay Read More »
The hole was gaping, as were others where the pulleys were mounted on the boom for the line controlling the sail. It was way past time to replace these aging corroded aluminum booms, both upper and lower. I had convinced myself that replacement must happen before the next sail.
