We had a nice mix of old-timers and relative newcomers on this trip: Mark G, Nelson, Ron, Pat, Mike and son Ryan, Linda, Bob H, Jack. Most of the paddlers had not been there before. Of course, since I had scheduled this trip, it had to be windy. But we paddled, undaunted, into the wind for the 5 miles out the the very tippy tip of Great Island. It looked like there were not going to be any seals (albeit large flocks of eider ducks). As we reached the final point, I could hear a faint moaning sound, like wind soughing through an old building, rising and falling. We came around the point and there they were, about 30 to 50 seals in varied sizes, types, and colorings. Because we were downwind, only a few of them noticed us for quite some time. We hung there listening to their mournful sighs, marveling at their sheer bulky size. A few very nosy fellows popped up to have a closer look at us. Then the whole group began to take notice and break into that ungainly shuffling to get off the sand and into the water.



Suddenly, seal heads were showing up all over - in front of us, around us, behind us. We took to drifting in a backwards way so that we could see the wily fellows who thought they were surfacing behind us. One seal repeatedly came up just by my bow, turning his head to the side to have a good look at me, blinking and considering, then snapping his nostrils shut and retreating into the water.

We hung out a good long while watching them, and they hung out a good long while watching us. It seemed to be mutually entertaining. Indeed, they followed us as we paddled to our island lunch spot. This fellow came all the way into the shallows by the shore specifically to ogle us.



We had lunch and then drifted back the way we'd come, paralleled for some time by a gang of seals who dolphin-swam as a group about 50 yards to one side as we paddled along. Some of us stopped along the dunes to have a look at the view. The rest went on to the take-out.



I thoroughly enjoyed this trip, as I do every time I go there. It's a long but easy paddle out and back, and I love the big wild dunes, the flocks of birds, and of course the seals. It was great to have so much good company this time too (last time was a solo trip). Thank you all for joining me!

NK

One more photo, from lunchtime.... I'll bet there are lots more to come, from everyone else who was snapping seal-pix.

Linda, Bob, and Jack soaking up sunshine, just like the seals.

Great pictures, and it looked like a fabulous day too!

Green with envy!

Next time

That was a great trip! Huge thanks to Kate for suggesting and organizing it.

The seals were quite entertaining. As Linda and I made our way from the point out further to the island for lunch, we were tailed by a dozen or so curious whiskered heads poking out of the water and swimming to keep pace with us. What a hoot! No one has yet mentioned the large fin we saw moving among the herd at the point. I recognized the floppy nature of the fin and the slow meandering pace...and Nelson confirmed it...as our good pal the Mola Mola -- giant ocean sunfish. Nelson said that it was a smaller one.

My son Ryan and I had a terrific time. It was great to be out on the water...in a new place I had never been...and catching up with the WT regulars, as well as meeting some new folks.

Having been up in Sweden for a year now, I am reminded of just how nice it is to be in Massachusetts. I head back to Stockholm next week, but I am now planning to get my way-too-American-for-Swedes butt back here in 2010.

Looking forward to next season!

I had an excellent time as well. It's always fun communing with nature. Thanks Kate for organizing the trip. Here are the best of the pics I took.





Hey! I was able to add more than 3 pics.

Great pictures!

Still Green with Envy

Wasn't sure how to add photos to the site but here's a link to some that I took... Jack Z.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?u ... feat=email

I'm happy to report the seals were very entertaining on Monday as well What fun! There was no wind so to speak today either. Again, thanks for the great suggestion Kate.

Here are three more pictures.

That last photo is a beauty, Ron!

I'm glad everyone had a good time (including Lora). I did too!

NK

great photos, especially the close up of the seal. need to start thinking about upgrading!!.

Great report and photos! thanks for sharing. Ken

Though my pictures aren't great, (I'm using an inexpensive waterproof camera and I can't see the screen at all), I thought some of you might enjoy seeing some more

Thanks Lora!

In viewing the pictures, you can change to a more manageable size by holding the Control Key while using the scroll wheel on your mouse or holding the Control Key and pressing the "+" or "-" key at the same time....

Jack Z.

Great tip Jack - thanks

I went back and edited my original post after importing these select few pictures into photo shop to use the image re-size tool to shrink them after figuring out that the photo software I was using lacked that feature (no wonder I couldn't find it - lol).

lora,
not bad for an inexpensive camera. came thru just fine for me, but now all the words in the posts are quite large, not complaining...
jack your images on picassa quite nice too. i like #5.

Are they still large? If so, what browser are you using?

Thanks everyone for sharing the pictures and information. I really wish I could have gotten out there this weekend, but at least now I know where to go if there's another opportunity. It's depressing to have missed 3 great chances to paddle because of work. The boss just doesn't understand that comp time doesn't cut it.

hi pat,

was using windows explorer but all is back to normal now.

You're getting comp time? I had to work the last 2 weekends myself. Not sure about comp time yet. It's more like job security or at least the hope of it.

Sorry I missed this one. Seems like a nice fall trip.