BORN ON THE BAYOU
by Kurt Zuelsdorf

When the humid, salty sea-air gently ruffled my collar I dropped my head back to catch a breath and I thought I saw something standing below the osprey. The grand plumage of our osprey was shining from atop The Kings Nest and for a good reason. The new osprey chick has arrived and is venturing to the edge of the nest!

The birds-eye view from there one can only imagine….Glistening bay waters reflecting the pristine pink castle on Pass-a-grille, shadows of shiners and mullet cruising the shallow grass flats below, the clickity-clang of the mast’s in the yacht club and of course the ruffled canopy of the mangrove estuary…

I’ve been watching anxiously, daily for three years as the birds tested, nested & guarded the South pole. I watched the first stick be carried and tucked into the platform, I saw a storm wipe out the first nest. Many of you toured Clam Bayou sensed my enthusiasm as we kayaked or paddleboarded past the nest and I thought it fitting to send ya’ll, because you’ve helped create and protect this habitat, a short video we got this week. With your continued support and efforts this family, for generations to come, will be the first to view the sunrise and the last to see it set here in this paradise called Clam Bayou.
CONGRATS TO YOU AND THE PROUD OSPREY FAMILY….WELCOME TO GULFPORT!

Gulfport Marina webcam has a pre-setting on the active nest here. You may get a glimpse of the newcomer = http://www.mygulfport.us/City_Departments/Leisure_Services/Marina/Large_Cam/Large_Marina_Cam1.htm

Welcome West Coast Kayak!