07/02/2011 - Gaillard Island

Header image. What a surreal place to fish, eh?

1) A cruise ship was heading into port as I was making the pre-dawn crossing to Gaillard Island. The shipping channel passes about 1/4 mile east of Gaillard Island.

2) Paddling to Gaillard Island requires crossing several miles of open water, so make sure you are up to the challenge if you decide to paddle there. Summer time thunderstorms can generate serious winds, hail, and lightning. I got lucky today as the winds produced by this quick forming thunderstorm came from behind, so, I got to surf some waves on the way over to Gaillard Island.

3) Sunrise as seen from near the north end of Gaillard Island. The eastern shore, about 7 miles away, is faintly visible on the horizon.

4) Gaillard Island has an unbelievable number of pelicans. Paddle conditions improved once I got out of the wind behind the island.

5) I like to take a trip out to Gaillard Island near the end of June or beginning of July because there are usually baby pelicans being tended to.

6) Not sure whether this was parental discipline, feeding, or a french kiss.

7) If you have never paddled around Gaillard Island, you are missing an awesome experience. Gaillard is the breeding ground for thousands of pelicans and other shore birds and the sights, smells, and sounds are amplified.

8) The entire island perimeter is protected by rocks. There are a couple of places where you can land a kayak at high tide, but you probably will be eaten alive by flies and mosquitoes before you have time to get out of the kayak.

9) I tried to get out to the ship channel to see this ship (Strait of Dover) up close, but it was moving too fast. I got side tracked watching some dolphin.

10) I did make it out in time to view a passing tug boat. This tug boat left a quarter mile long series of 3 foot rolling waves which were moving about 7-8 mph. It was so much fun riding those waves, but it did wear me out.

11) Here is a short video clip adding the sense of sound, although, adult pelicans are mostly silent...so what you hear are sea gulls except for the end of the video where there is audio of a clucking pelican chick courtesy of a Fish and Wildlife web site.