Offerings

Turtle Ballet

Check out the dragonfly he caught!

Today was not a good day for me to be on the Wacissa if I wanted to hide from anyone. Honestly, I got on the water around 10:00am and thought I was the only one there. Once in Big Blue, there was a steady stream of friends. First I encountered a very dear patient, Trent. We had a great conversation about the river and his recent cataract surgery. Next, Jack Rudloe, a local author and owner of the Gulf Coast Marine Specimen Lab. Jeff, another friend, was hidden in the shade, I managed to sneak up on him for a good scare. Sorry Jeff.

I titled this blog "Offerings" for the simple reason being, the Wacissa offers me something wonderful and new each time I am there. First and foremost are the friends that I enjoy week after week. However, each time I go out I meet new and interesting people, the list gets longer each day. For instance, today I met a man from Hawaii that lives on an island and tags birds for a living. Can you imagine?

The second offering is the wildlife. I truly believe the river only offers this to the ones that respect and love it. Each day there is something different. This past Tuesday it was deer. I left Blue through the back creek and saw numerous deer along with two spotted fawns. I was able to view them from 20 feet for at least 10 minutes. Yesterday it was the bream. They were extremely curious and eager to "kiss" my underwater camera. Somedays it's salamanders, who knows what tommorows theme will be. One thing is for sure, I will be an appreciative guest ready to embrace what this wonderful old river is willing to share with me today.