08/12/2006 – Dauphin Island

Launch: Southeast end of the island by the rock jetties. Launch Cost: Free. Route: West to the northern end of Sand Island, then southeast along the north side of the Sand Island to the end, then north back to the launch site. Distance: 9.0 miles. Average Speed: 3.1 mph. Time: Approx 3 hrs. Pace: Leisurely. Weather: Sunny, 10 mph winds from the west, waves about a foot and current minimal. Neap tides today.

(1) Above left. Today I choose to minimize exposure to intense heat by enjoying a wonderful sunrise kayak trip off the southeast end of Dauphin Island (my favorite place to kayak). (2) Above right. Shore birds are out for a morning flight and breakfast.

(3) Above left. There were no shrimp boats in sight today, only this one bait trawler. (4) Above right. Here, the same trawler is setting up occupants of a fishing boat with live bait.

(5) Above left. Since my last trip to this spot, the sands have moved away from the end of the Pier. (6) Above right. Kayakers should stay away from this area. The shallow water can make for treacherous conditions depending on wind and current. I can only imagine what the waves would look like here with 20 mph west winds mixed with strong flowing current. No wonder why the sands keep moving.

(7) Above left. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has put up signs to protect bird nesting areas on Sand Island. (8) Above right. I’m very fortunate to live near one of the best birding sites in the southeast. The birds in this photo all seem to be keeping equal space from each other – the mating season honeymoons must be over.

(9) Above left. Cannonball jellyfish were out in numbers. Learn about the jellyfish in this area by clicking here. I followed this one for a while. It kept coming to the surface like it was getting air. (10) Above right. Saw this bird that looks like an immature green heron at the launch site. This was a wonderful trip.