I was up and out on the water by 0715 hrs this morning, hoping to beat the heat.  Paddling along the shore, I spotted the only sea star I’d seen in this cove.  It  really caught my eye, perched as it was on the end of a submerged, barnacle-encrusted tree branch.

 

 

 

Also out for an early morning paddle was this lady merganser.

 

 

While heading back to the boat, I spotted something moving along the shore of one of the little islets, so I paddled over to investigate.  I found this mink feasting on the mother lode of mussels.  He was in such enthrall that he didn’t notice me at all, even though I was only about 20 feet away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When he finally did notice me, it didn’t even slow him down, he just kept on stuffing his face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was starting to look like the dog that ate the ham.

 

 

He finally wore me out.  I couldn’t take another shot.