Just a few boat lengths into our trip we come upon a manatee hanging out in the boat basin. We watch for a couple sneezy sounding breaths then we head out into the bay.

The air is cool, breeze light and the water calm. It is a perfect morning on the water.  Did you notice, I didn’t say anything about mosquitoes?  That’s right, no mosquitoes out here.  Hooray!

We have been forewarned that much of the bay is mudflat at low tide so we are pretty mindful of water depth as we move along. We are setting out at high tide so ought to have five or six good hours before we have to fret about being stranded….we think.  A path right along the mangrove lined shore is said to be deep enough for a safe return even near final low tide.

Pelicans are perched in the mangroves….I see the bright white poop splashes on the leaves even before we see the birds. Little Blue herons seem to like this area as do the white morph of the Great Blue.  We are on the watch for a Flamingo some claim visits the flats at low tide.  Today the only pink critter to be seen is a Roseate Spoonbill.

The water in front of us boils. Fins appear.  A pair of dolphins in a series of coordinated moves is feeding on a school of fish.  It looks like maybe they have done this before.

Clusters of wading birds begin to gather in what was just an hour ago open water. The outgoing tide is exposing ever expanding mudflats in about every direction.  The quiet is broken by an approaching swoosh of hundreds of beating wings.  Flocks of Black Skimmers pass us by on their way to some favorite flat.  Terns call to each other as if in conversation as they pass overhead.  Herons and Egrets squawk in greeting or territorial dispute as they head to feeding grounds.  Fish swirl around us and mullet jump clear out of the water.  We float a while to watch then catch a perfect light breeze that has developed just in time to carry us home.

Check out this close up look at an Osprey having lunch.

It is a good way to experience the wet wilderness of the everglades