Feed: Kayak Nature - AggScore: 72.1
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What’s new on the Bayou
by Kurt Zuelsdorf
November’s weather snuck in nicely from the north carrying with it the “real” snowbirds. Willets, dowitchers and godwits are huddling on the south pass oyster bars. The local oyster catchers seem happy to have them back after a lonely summer with the gabby gulls.
Green and black-crowned heron nesting habitat in the upper creeks looks fabulous thanks to countless volunteer greenies that prepped the nursery for their return to nesting. One of this year’s late hatchers stuck around to take advantage of the fiddler crab crop on Brandt’s Island. This year’s crop seems a little down from last year, but the food source is alive and well.
Now 5 years in a row the pie-billed grebe has returned to the south pass—-always great to see him again. Since he is the only one, a name would be fitting…. Otis seems appropriate, unless you have other suggestions?
A brief glimpse of the black-crowned night heron and an encounter with the ghostly bittern keeps my spirits alive as the summer was slow here. A most exciting discovery in the upper creeks is a series of small teacup size nests (perhaps a palm warbler). I’ve always wondered what the purpose of the spiders is in the bayou and these nests have revealed that the web is being used to weave the twigs and bind the nest! In addition, they (the birds) have chosen a strand with a string of eggs on it. The baby spiders are said to eat the parasites that cause harm to the baby birds, then at some stage of growth the birds eat the spiders! Such amazing things in the place called Clam Bayou if you just adjust your eyes accordingly!
Black vultures are gathering in the skies about the bayou waiting for nature’s call to clean up when the temps drop and turn the tilapia belly-up.
Bald eagles are back in the area. On a recent photo tour with Denise from PA a huge male performed an aerial drop-swoop-grab on a mullet right in front of us, only to be shooed away by the osprey. Still no nesting activity on the osprey posts. The small nest that was built last year was blown away in a recent storm.
White Pelican migration is on. I was fortunate to witness three drop into the region on a clear blue sky over the bayou. (Please visit my website or my YouTube site for the video I shot of the pelicans at Ft. Desoto and other recent videos). Their bill can hold 3 gallons of water… it’s beak really can hold more than his belly can!
Kurt Zuelsdorf invites you and your friends to a fine dining experience at Clam Bayou Nature Park in Gulfport Florida. Perfectly placed on the East end of Boca Ciega Bay is where you’ll witness the finest of bird species dining on the freshest seafood in Florida!
With the fall bird migration underway reservations and kayak/stand up paddle board (sup) is required. Casual dining. Friendly hosts. Amazing view! Come visit today!
Kurt Zuelsdorf
While preparing for a day of kayaking at Ft Desoto, Shell Island Preserve Kurt Zuelsdorf discovers the arrival of the American White Pelican. One of the largest birds in North America with an 8′ wingspan and a beak that can hold more than their belly-can! (sorry for the shaky camera work…too much coffee and they surprised me!)
CLAM BAYOU GUIDED KAYAK ECO-TOUR
MONDAY- SATURDAY = 4:00 – 6:00 PM
KAYAK & PADDLE BOARD RENTALS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR CLAM BAYOU AS THE WIND WILL NOT EFFECT YOU HERE!
Book a guided 2 hour birding trip into Clam Bayou and get up close and personal to some of Florida’s 575 species of birds! Come journey with us to the very heart of Clam Bayou Estuary on our 2-hour narrated Eco Adventure. Both casual bird watchers and experienced birders will enjoy this kayak trip! Bring your bird book, binoculars and Let’s Go Birding.
Special thanks to photographer Andrea Linquanti for this series of photos. YOU’RE NEXT!
Single kayak Only $55 for a two hour trip. Double kayak = $90 WIND NOR RAIN HAS AN EFFECT ON THIS PROTECTED ESTUARY TOUR!
Kurt Zuelsdorf took a day away from kayaking and stand up paddle boarding (sup) and made the trip to Myakka State Park for some hiking with the deer and wild hogs. Lunch at the new restaurant was good…great view!
Throughout the year come out and see nature’s inhabitants go about their daily activities. The majestic American Egret glides effortlessly over the mangroves… In the distance and Osprey calls… a dolphin chases his dinner through the shallows… the Otter scoots to the top of the shell mound and gazes intently at the world around him… the Night Heron gazes intently as you glide silently by…
For the photographer, sightseer, bird watcher and nature lover, or if you just like to paddle around, look and listen, KAYAK NATURE ADVENTURES will open up new avenues of enjoyment for you and all who would come to enjoy its treasures!
Our mobile outpost allows us to offer kayak & paddle board rental, eco & birding tours 7 days a week!
Our website has lots of stories to tell with pictures and videos too. Take some time and look around. Feel free to send us an email or comments
CALL TODAY AND LET YOUR NEXT KAYAK ADVENTURE BEGIN
MANATEE OF SOUTH PASADENA FLORIDA
The sun barely topped the trees when I dropped my kayak off the seawall in S Pasadena Florida today. Just one week ago the city did a clean up of Bear Creek to keep storm water runoff bebris from washing into their living room and it’s a good thing as 6 gentle giants moved in to play for the Summer.
These East Indian Manatee remind me of tracking other wild animals of the past. I paddled and drifted toward them as quietly as possible but the near-sighted giants knew I was there and kept their distance. Sometimes they disappeared into shallow water at an alarming rate of speed leaving only huge wakes of turbulence for me to track. After an hour I settled in close to a smooching pair until a giant male (who’s body was much larger than my 12 foot kayak) snuck in from the side and swam under me! My heart jumped into my throat fearing the huge tail could easily thump me into the drink.
A splash, a wake, a swirl of mud from the bottom. Flared nostrils spraying a sour mist, whiskers of a seal, mossy backs & prop scars…then a close encounter! See the video on our website and Kayak Nature Today! www.kayaknature.com
Pack-a-snack and meet me on the beach in front of OMaddy’s Grill in Gulfport for a full moon paddle/drift!
$30 single kayak, $45 double! 6:30pm – 9ish
Call and reserve now! 727-418-9728
This trip is on full moon weekends only. Please send KURT ZUELSDORF an email for the full moon schedule
