Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

 

Willis was his usual sleepy self as we untied from the dock at Sanibel and headed back out San Carlos Bay.  This sailing life is pretty rough on a pussy cat.

We went under the causeway bridge, and into Pine Island Sound.  We were traversing back along the Gulfside Intercoastal Waterway.  These are some skinny waters.  It was even worse than the Keys.  We ended up behind Sanibel Island, about halfway down, in an anchorage outside of the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  We didn't get there by bicycle when we were on the island so we thought we would explore it by dinghy.  After lunch, we took off...$10 for spotting a gator!

I thought this was another bald eagle, but it was only an osprey. 

I really wanted to spot a spoonbill, the pink bird on the bottom right, but I never saw one.  No gators either (thankfully!)

We still had a good time bummin' around :)

Willis had managed to move his sorry self from our bed to cockpit at least, while we were gone.

I finally told him to get up and MOVE....blow the stink off...ya know?!  Kids these days are LAZY.

It was looking to be a long swim to the nearest Kit Kat Go Go Lounge.

He was entranced watching the water...kind of like his momma. 

Until a dolphin caught his eye about 20 yards out.  He backed up in a hurry!

Did you see THAT mom?!  Really, though, STOP taking my picture PLEEEEZE.

Dad tried his hand at fishing while I fixed dinner...he got skunked.

As the sun was beginning to set, the wind picked up.  Windy was making power, and we'll be sleeping good tonight :)

Willis enjoys the sunsets, too.  REALLY Mom, you're getting on my last nerve with the picture taking.

No fish for dinner, but the chicken stir fry sure hit the spot! (with a 'Nancy' cocktail :)

Another beautiful end to the day...tomorrow we head up the GIWW to Cabbage Key.  G'nite, y'all!