We have had some terrific storms lately.  The kind where the thunder makes your teeth fillings ache, hair on your arms rise, and you duck just as the thunder clap overhead rings your ears.  When there is no “one mississippi, two mississippi” as you count to see how far the lightning you just saw really is.

Afternoon Storm Clouds

Another day. Another storm

I have watched the birds around us.  I have determined that Nature Knows.  When the Osprey fly off the sailboat aluminum masts and light on a wood piling, that means the storm is going to be close and mighty.  All the seagulls hunker down and lay low on the pilings.  When the Osprey stay up on the perch and the seagulls are standing gabbing to each other, the storm is all bark and no bite.  Nature Knows!!

And more stormy afternoons give rise to a beautiful sunset. Amazing colors.

Storm passing at sunset

White clouds massing to fight off the grays. There’s a war in the skies!

Our visitors after these storms?

“Hey Wayne, what’s that floating out there?  A grey blob.  It isn’t something dead is it?”  No!  It is a manatee just hanging out near the boat.  We have counted at least 6 Sea Cows – Manatees in our little area of the Marina in just one morning.

There are signs near the Marina to remind boaters to be extra careful.  Spotters roam the Marina from time to time to ensure the safety and security of these lovely beasts.

Look!  This little fella just said “Hello”

We have actually seen a “Harbour Porpoise”.  Never knew about them.  But these are smaller porpoises that hang around marinas and harbors.  I thought I heard a Manatee breathing yesterday morning when it was a porpoise coming by the boat.  It swam under the boat before I could get a snapshot of her.  We did see one jump out of the water last week during the early morning.  Fascinating.

A flock of Ibis with it’s one anti conformist in the flock!

Why is there always one that is separated from the rest?

Looks like there is something awfully tasty in that high grass.

Whoops. Another storm is one it way. Time to end our broadcast this evening. Stay high and dry everyone!!