A day off...

No, we're still not working.

One of the prettiest days yet since we've been home: cool temps, light wind, and hazy sunshine.  After a leisurely lunch at Pier 19, Joan asked if we could find some pelicans... from the boat.  We are not seeing as many pelicans since we've been back, and those that we're seeing are juveniles.

As usual, heading out the canal...

I took us to the "Y" where the Port Isabel Channel meets the Brownsville Ship Channel - and a bird sanctuary...

Not a pelican, a Great Blue Heron...

Quite a few juvenile pelicans on the shoreline...

While looking at the birds, we got our first view of this...

OK, I guess we're dolphin watching, now... I mean, they did come to us.

Joan asked, "Do you want me to take the helm so you can shoot photos?"

"Sure."

"Where to?"

"You're driving."

About that time, several came right up alongside the boat...

We enjoyed their company for a while, then headed towards the jetties at South Padre Island.

A pelican...

The water was particularly beautiful today, getting more turquoise as we got closer to the Gulf...

No other boats around until we got into the jetties area...

Momma and a baby...

A day without tail is like a day without sunshine...

The Jetties are the huge rocks along the shore that define the Brazos-Santiago Channel; the water that separates the southern end of South Padre Island from Boca Chica Beach to the south.

Looking across the jetties, you can see some kite surfers (well, their kites)...

Heading for home, Joan wanted to kick back, so I took the helm...

It was a lovely down-wind cruise back home, wrapping up a gorgeous day on the water.  The weasels are predicting hotter temps and more wind the rest of the week; we have to take advantage of this cool stuff when we can.

Coming in our canal, we saw two black, orange and yellow birds flitting along the greenery on the side of the canal...

A Black-Headed Grosbeak, I think.  If anyone has a good ID on it, let me know.