A Perfect Morning

I thought about penning a paean of praise - but then decided it was a bit "over the top" for a blog post! So instead I shall just explain that I was able to get out on my kayak for the first time in five months and it was a perfect morning. The tide was high enough to be interesting, it was sunny with just a few clouds, and there was no wind! What more could anyone want? (Maybe a few less sand-flies close in to the shore would be nice!)
This photo is looking south-east across the bay.

This photo is looking west back towards the parking lot and my car.

 There have apparently not been any huge winds or wild seas over the last few months because the mangroves were still in their usual places and the contours of the shoreline are unchanged. These mangroves are on the south side of the Mullens creek channel. They are Red Mangroves (Rhizophora stylosa). Red Mangroves have the usual tangled roots at the base but they also grow aerial roots from the higher branches. These aerial roots hang down just above the water and sometimes reach right into the water.

 As I came around the mangrove trees at this end of the channel a number of shorebirds started flying off and moving north. The tide was just beginning to cover the low sand and mud just south of this point and I think the birds decided they would move to higher ground. Of course, once one group flew the rest joined them. I counted 30 plus Whimbrels, a flock of about 150 mixed Curlews and Godwits, and about 30 Grey-tailed Tattlers. I have no way of knowing which of these shorebirds are newly arrived migrants and which have been here over the winter. I think possibly the Grey-tailed Tattlers have arrived recently as these numbers are close to what I usually see on this roost during the summer.
This tall old mangrove tree looks as if it might not survive any more big storms but for the present it often makes a good roost for Little Egrets.

As I paddled in closer one of the birds flew off to join other birds on the sand but one stayed and just watched me.

It seemed OK with me getting quite close until a Pied Oystercatcher that was hidden down in some bushes close by began making a warning cry. I did not go any closer because there might have been a nest in there somewhere - but the Little Egret had a good look all around for trouble.

When it only saw me in the kayak it settled down again.

For more scenery from around the world visit Our World Tuesday

and for more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.