Wednesday, 15 May
Mid-Bay Shores, Maxwell-Gunter Rec Area — Niceville, Florida
Temps: Lo 56F / Hi 81F (13C / 27C)
While Mui was working on the coach, I went for my morning walk on the beach. I got a rather late start, so there weren’t many birds around. But I did come across an American Coot not far from the boat channel at Lake Pippin. I’ve seen coots before, but always from a distance, so I especially enjoyed the “see-the-red-of-its-eyes” close encounter.
It might swim like a duck, but The American coot is a closer relative of
sandhill cranes than of mallards.
I continued my walk around to White Point to check on the osprey family. Mom and dad were home, but the chick was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t wait around for junior to make an appearance as I had an assignment to take care of before the temp rose even higher.
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Oakleaf Hydrangea
What did I need to do? Rent a kayak from the campground office. Taking advantage of Mui’s mid-morning break from coach-washing, we set out to enjoy the calm waters of Choctawhatchee Bay for a few hours.
The campground has a selection of tandem kayaks for rent for $5/hour.
Ready … set … kayak!
Not bad for a photo taken with back focus!
We really are offshore, but the water is not very deep. How shallow is it? See below.
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Mui decides to go for a walk; and while at it, plays photographer.
Our kayak outing was lots of fun … even if we didn’t see a whole lot of birds or other critters. Papa osprey flew over a couple of times, searching for sustenance for junior. And there were some terns diving as well. They looked a lot smaller than the ones I’ve seen in other places, so I was hoping they were least terns. Sure enough, when one of them landed on the beach, I got my proof.
Least tern in breeding plumage
(as indicated by the black cap with a clean-cut white forehead chevron).
We returned home shortly after noon, had lunch, and Mui got started on the driver’s side wash and wax job on the Phaeton. He kept at it all afternoon; by 6:00p, he was ready for happy hour. Now that the coach is all slick and shiny, it should cut through any air resistance we encounter on the road like a hot knife through butter;-)
That place looks wonderful! We have drug our kayak all the way from Las Vegas to Alaska only to find all the lake iced up. We have seen some beautiful scenery and animals though, so there is a trade off.
ReplyDeleteOkay! I got this post. I really like the least tern pic.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place for a nice paddle.
ReplyDeleteLove the close up coot. Best coot picture ever. Sure wish the campgrounds I stay at would let us wash Winnona. She's filthy and through no fault of her own.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame it takes so long to wash and wax these homes of ours only to get dirty again!! Glad you were able to get in a nice paddle!! Hope it doesn't rain for awhile so your home stays clean.
ReplyDeleteI believe that is an Oakleaf Hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteGood shot from behind! I've gotten pretty good at them myself.
Have you ever tried "The Solution" to wash the coach? It works extremely well and no swirl marks are left. It works for even the dirtiest coach and you can do it anywhere. It has some sort of polymer formula that lifts the dirt off, and then you wipe with a clean microfiber towel. It works great!
Mui uses The Solution when he is not allowed a wet-wash; it does indeed work great.
DeleteWe have never tried a Kayak. It looks like a lot of fun. We hope to get to Florida this winter. I think we will make that one of our new adventures.
ReplyDeleteFun to see you two out enjoying the water in kayaks and that Mui took a break from the ambitious wash and wax job. Looks like a great place to paddle--have to put it on the list. Didn't know coots were related to sandhills cranes--interesting!
ReplyDeleteMe neither ... always thought of them as ducks. Amazing what one learns when one goes searching for info to use as a caption ;-)))
DeleteCoots! Love coots.
ReplyDeleteWish our rig was clean. Beauregard is disgusting at the moment.
Also wish I could sit in that position, but no-can-do with a herniated L5/S1.
Looks like much fun!
Now that we've sold our kayaks, I guess we'll be renting sometimes too. That has to be easier than lugging them all over the country.
ReplyDelete