The sun was just rising when I set out paddling.  I noticed something move on the beach behind the boat and discovered this deer grazing along the shore.

I paddled for a couple hours this morning, but the wind was gusting up to 15 knots at times, making it difficult.  I hadn’t seen any wildlife, but if I had, it would have been impossible to get a shot in focus, due to the rough water.  So, I headed back to the boat.  Just behind the boat, I spotted a heron on the beach.  The water was calmer, so I paddled over to try to get a shot.  That’s when I noticed the juvenile mergansers, probably the same group that were here before.  They toyed with me for at least 30 minutes, coming close enough for a shot, and then diving just as I had them in focus.  I wound up getting lots of exercise, and not much more.

A blue heron was also fishing. This must be a hot spot today.

Then, three other herons flew in to do some fishing.  The original heron was not happy with the interlopers.  They definitely ruffled his feathers.

We’ve decided to move on to Blind Bay, on Shaw Island this morning, before we grow to the bottom here.  So, after breakfast, Al fired up the engines and we headed out.  We didn’t have far to go.  After about 90 minutes, we were pulling into Blind Bay.  We could not believe the number of boats in the anchorage.  I counted 60 boats!