“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, one finds it attached to the rest of the world.”  – John Muir   

NOVEMBER =  Thursday – The cooler November weather has not stopped our visitors from the north! Clam bayou offers perfection from the wind and it’s quite lovely during the mid-day hours. DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN! 

Brown pelicans have been napping in the mangroves this week. A new discovery in the park is the burrow of a box turtle. I’m hoping to get a picture of it to post in the album this week.

Tuesday – Hooded Merganzers, Willets, Plovers, and yes…an ALLIGATOR IN THE BAYOU! It has taken me a few weeks to finally get a look at the eight foot gator that lives in the bayou, but today I got to float over the top of him in shallow water -awesome!

The cooler weather has driven many species of birds into the bay area and has made the water much clearer too. On a recent paddle to Gulfport pier snook, trout and redfish were easily recognizable on the flats and around the oyster bars.   

Sunday – Perfect weather to make the crossing from Gulfport to S. Pasadena. Came across a few Loons that played hide-and-seek with me around a channel marker. Got a chance to see one up close…beautiful! Three Oyster Catchers were napping on the island off Pasadena, they seem to be nesting in that area as it’s the 3rd time I’ve seen them there – a rare specimen sighting for sure and worth a trip out just to see them.  

Saturday – Guided tours are picking up and so are the signs of “actual” snowbirds. Two White Pelicans were working the flats today! White pelicans are much larger then the Brown Pelicans that inhabit Florida year round. And rather then diving from the air to catch fish, the mearly swim in circles and bob for their meals. 

Monday - The tide is as low as I’ve ever seen it in the bayou this morning. The full moon is pulling hard at all the left-over red tide mullet. Natures clean up crew has been out in the form of Black Vultures and by the looks of their size….they’re successful!

November 2008