A Fine Morning for Kayaking

I finally got out in my kayak today.  We were supposed to go yesterday with Penny’s hair stylist, Barbara, but she had a medical emergency in her family and couldn’t go. So I left my kayak on the CRV and used it this morning.

It turned out to be a great time to go.  There was a breeze but the bayou was still.  The sun was out but it wasn’t hot.  There was no other soul on the water- I had my private mile-long lake.

I carried the kayak to the edge of the water and went back to the car to get my gear.  When I walked back and saw the kayak sitting there I had to take this picture.  It just looked so inviting and relaxing:

I pushed off and took my time heading up the bayou.  There were fish everywhere feeding on the surface.  I watched an Osprey soar over me.  It spotted a fish and dove only to pull up before hitting the water.  It circled and once again over the same spot dove.  Once again it pulled up at the last moment.  It came around for a 3rd pass.  This time it  dove in straight and fast from about 50 feet above.  No pulling up this time.  It went straight in with a big splash and came up carrying a fish that was big enough to cause the bird to have trouble flying.  It sort of bounced off the water a couple of time adjusting its grip on the fish.  It finally gained control and flew off awkwardly with its prize.

I  then spotted a heron on the shore.  I tried to get in close for a nice picture.  I slowly paddled and drifted closer until I got close enough without spooking the bird.  I raised the camera and got ready to snap and the bird decided to leave.  I snapped anyway thinking I would get another picture of a bird with its wings in a weird position.  But I got lucky with the timing with this result.

I threaded my way up the stream where the blackberries used to grow.  I played around trying to get good pictures of some spider webs I saw.  Well actually “play” is not a good word.  I was fighting a slow current while trying to get the right sun angle to see the web and then try to get the camera up and get the correct focus and shoot before I drifted too far.  I took several bad shots but  I ended up with 2 that I liked.

I was pleased to find that no strong head wind had kicked up while I was up the creek.  Some nice clouds had popped up and made for nice reflections on the bayou.

Now as I sit here typing I have a smile on my face.  My thumbs don’t hurt.  My shoulders don’t hurt.  As I said- a fine day.  The only thing that would have made it better was if Penny were there.  She didn’t feel well enough to go.