The low spring tide has really left the shoreline high and dry.  All the nasty rocks that lurk just below the surface of the water in the entrance at high tide, are now exposed in all their ugliness.  We’ve decided we won’t leave here unless we have a good high tide.

Spring tides bring out a lot of critters you wouldn’t see otherwise.  I spotted a couple of minks, scampering over the exposed eel grass, scarfing up goodies as fast as they could shovel them in. 

When they saw me, they sprinted for the rocks, where they felt safe enough to assess the situation.  You could see the calculations going on.  They were torn between fleeing for the safety of the trees, or hoping I’d go away.

After a short while, they headed back for the goodies, but far enough away that I couldn’t get any shots.

So, I headed out to Reid Passage, hoping to find other photo ops.  I paddled for almost two  hours and didn’t see a thing.  So, I headed back toward the boat.  At the last minute, I decided to check out a little cove not far from the boat, where I had seen sandhill cranes feeding before.                      

I slowly paddled my way past the first point, and there, on the shore, was a lone sandhill crane.  I could not believe my good fortune.  She was a little concerned by my sudden appearance, but like the mink, couldn’t decide if I was dangerous enough to give up all the goodies she was enjoying.  It took her a lot longer than the mink to make up here mind, so I was able to get these shots before she ambled back into the safety of the trees.

At high tide, we decided to head over to Oliver Cove, just across Port Blackney, to spend the night.  This way, we’ll be all set to leave for Rescue Cove early tomorrow morning, without having to wait for high tide to get out of Boat Inlet.