Since I recently rearranged my schedule and now have weekends off, I can finally go out and play with my friends. I was looking forward to yesterday morning’s kayak trip all week and it did not disappoint.

We launched from an unassuming patch of dirt on the north side of a highway. It wasn’t the most inviting location but once we paddled through the mangroves into Feather Sound it was easy to see why Christine chose this spot.

Unlike other areas I’ve paddled around here, we were far outnumbered by wildlife! I counted at least a dozen bird species in addition to the dolphins, rays, needlefish, mullet, and manatees.

The water was wonderfully flat which not only made it a delight to paddle but also easier to spot aquatic animals. Dolphins swam by during the first part of our voyage around Big Island Gap, though they were busy fishing and remained in the distance.

After a short respite under some shady mangroves, we continued around the north side of the island where we came across a fever of juvenile rays. They were the smallest I’ve yet seen, only about 6″ from wingtip to wingtip (technically pectoral fin-tip but wingtip is commonly used since they appear to fly through the water).