Cape Island Creek ~ Kayaking

This weekend Adam and Brook are visiting so today we were out early morning to kayak.  Lots of Fiddler Crabs are out and this Willet was taking advantage of them and catching a snack.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Gray Catbird singing

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Yard

Brown Thrasher

My yard ~ Sachem Skippers

Sachem Skipper  (Dorsal View)

Female Sachem Skipper

North Cape May ~ Escape The Cape Triathlon

This year is the second year of the "Escape the Cape Triathlon." A number of my coworkers from CRMC are participating in this event that starts with a jump off the back of the Cape May -Lewis Ferry with the swim in the Delaware Bay.  Then there is the traditional biking before the 5K.  It was fun to see them jump 12 meters off the back of the ferry and I am not sure it's something I'd be willing to do. Pictured running are Lisa and Natalie.

Cape Island Creek ~ American Oystercatcher

Last week when was kayaking on Cape Island Creek, the first birds I saw were American Oystercatchers feeding along the edge of the salt marsh.  Much to my surprise one of the pair had 3 tags on his legs.  When I came home I went online to send off information American Oystercatcher Band Database.  Today I received an email with information on "my" Bird.  It was captured and tagged 6/26/2006 in Avalon, NJ.  It was been seen 2009, 2011 and 2013 wintering in Charleston Inter-coastal waterways.  Summer of 2013 it was spotted in Hereford Inlet, Stone Harbor Point.  So my bird is 5 years old and has been spotted and reported 10 times in 5 years.

Cape Island Creek ~ Kayaking

As always kayaking can be both fun and relaxing. I love being able to glide by to the birds and get close up pictures of them.  The Osprey's were out in force and I was able to also paddle up one of the side creeks to see the Osprey nest a little closer but no chicks as yet.  There were Terrapin turtles sunning along the way.  Plus again I was able to spot a number of Clapper Rails.