February 23, 2014

Stump Pass Beach State Park

Englewood, FL

We made a date with my brother, Jon, and sister-in-law, Margaret, to go kayaking today.  We opted to borrow kayaks from Jon rather than bring along our inflatable.

Jon and Margaret picked us up at 9:30 for the short drive down to Stump Pass Beach State Park.  We made a note of the fact, for future reference, that by the time we arrived the parking lot was almost full already.  So if we want to return to kayak again we know to plan on arriving before 9AM.

 

The area we put in was tight so Margaret went out first. 

 

 

 

 

 

 I went next, followed by Monte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and then Jon.

 

 

 

 

 

It was very overcast making it great weather for kayaking. 

We encountered many different birds including osprey, herons, and a white pelican.

 

 

When we approached Stump Pass, Jon gave me a tow when I got stuck in the shallow water.

After going ashore we had a snack and walked along the beach looking for shark teeth and shells. 

 

 

 

Monte couldn’t help himself when we came across a flock of Black Skimmers and Least Turns.  He just had to stir them up so they would take flight.

 

 

 

 

He has that mischievous Monte grin that is his trademark. 

But they didn’t go far.

 

Until I walked too close for their comfort and they flew away.

Time to start back 

We encountered several dolphins but every time I spotted one I didn’t have my camera ready.   These were the best shots I was able to take.

This one was so close to Monte he could have reached out and touched him but of course, I was a great distance away and I had the camera.

It was overcast most of the time but every once in a while the sun would poke through and the intense heat had us grateful when the clouds returned.

All too soon we arrived back at the point we had launched.

After Jon and Margaret dropped us off at home we relaxed a while, took showers and then it was our turn to pick them up on our way to Applebee’s for dinner.

It had been a most excellent day of enjoying nature, getting some exercise and spending time with family.