A large day by any reasonable standard!  Weather was tops; cloudless blue sky, light winds and 22C.  We waited until the tide was favourable and then took the skiff down the river to the Gulf.  Saw several manatee on the way, managing (just) to avoid collision with dozens of kayakers who were also looking for them.  This was particularly tense in the area of Hospital Hole, an area where an underground spring feeds the river.  The "hole' is at least 100 feet deep, and the managees congregate there.  In addition to the kayakers, there were quite a few people swimming the hole and making actual physical contact with these wonderful creatures.

We continued on past the fishing pier at Pine Island, and went out about 1km into the gulf.  Even though the winds were light, I had no fishing gear with me, nor did I bring my Fuji camera thus limiting my photographic efforts to the little canon powershot.

On the way back we spotted an eagles nest in a palm whose top had been removed in a hurricane some years back.  No eagle, but an osprey was making use of the structure.  I will return with the long lens for some up close pictures.

Arrived back at our dock just about the time the bar opened.  After a couple of drinks, dropped a nich chunk of beef on the bbq, while Karen organized a salad.  Washed all of that down with some reasonable Aussie merlot.  All in all, another great day in the great state of Florida!