Spring Paddling

This is my first spring on Bowen, and it really IS spring. Changeable weather, lots of rain, never quite sure if you will need the umbrella, an extra jacket or sunscreen. It seems like the past few years in southern Ontario we didn't get much of a spring. The season kind of went right from winter to midsummer and the birds and flowers just went crazy! Seeing rhodos bloom in April is a new experience! Our yard has quite a few and it seems they are each going to take their turn. The first one was light purple, the next one pink and now we have a nice fuscia colour starting. That's one nice thing about moving house in the winter: the garden is a beautiful surprise in spring!
Yesterday I went kayaking just before dusk. It's my favourite time of day to be on the water. The harbour seals are out feeding and the migrating birds are taking a rest. And the eagles are active. I saw a huge raft (thanks for that term, Chris) of surf scouters enjoying the evening light. Despite my best efforts, I still frightened them a bit with my kayak. What a sound they make when they all take wing at once! I witnessed an eagle fishing right in front of my boat, with a young eagle carefully watching the proceedings. They then flew off to enjoy the meal. My favourite spot along Cape Roger Curtis is a tall boulder we have named Bald Eagle Rock. Sure enough, when I arrived, the eagle was there on his perch, calling to some unseen friend.
While I was out on the water, I experienced that few minutes of unsettled water that signals the change of tide. Darn, too late. I had to paddle against the tide both going out AND coming back!