A Day of Magnificence

Every day is a blessing and yesterday handed us an especially beautiful treat. WE never expected such a sight when we decided to try kayaking on the lagoon at Grand Isle State park with maybe a little fishing, birding, or whatever presented us on the protected waters.

It only took a few minutes to drive and launch the kayaks as the lagoon is just a few blocks away. A stiff wind was blowing and we hesitated to even launch, we never would have with the canoe, but launch we did!

Renita was soon paddling away from me and I worried a bit but it was needless as she easily turned and paddled back into the wind. I pushed off and joined her as we glided along the black mangrove shoreline.

The black mangroves here are taller than in Texas but much shorter then the ones in Florida so they provided us with some shelter from the wind.

Mullet were everywhere we went but the reds simply weren’t biting. I cast and cast hitting pockets in the bushes but no fish laid in wait for bait riding the outgoing tide. Still it was a joy to be on the water and the fishing was great even with the catching being zero.

We kayaked under the walkway only to find that rocks had been placed across the bay opening, preventing us from accessing the next bay and then the mouth into Batarria Pass. The rocks wee large enough to even block the movement of fish, except at the highest tides and I wondered why they were placed there.

Heading to the other end I noticed Renita lagging behind and realized she was taking images of high flying birds. Approaching her I finally saw the magnificent frigates wheeling overhead and the mystery of her tardiness was solved. It always amazes me as to how much I miss as I speed by, concentrating on a single goal or spot.

Above us eleven of the frigate birds were riding the steady wind and thermals and soaring easily. With a wingspan of eight feet they truly are magnificent and they were so close that we could even see the white heads and bodies of the mature males.

It is the closest we have ever been to the birds, the locals refer to them as rain birds, and their appearance is said to herald an approaching storm. It was an unexpected treat and the fish and the paddling were soon forgotten as we sat and watched the dance of the magnificent frigates. Clear skies