Paddling on a Sunny Saturday Morning

Stewart and I went paddling this morning as the sea was flat as can be and there was no wind. When it looks like nice paddling weather, you have to go right away because it never lasts for long.  We saw a few dolphins (5), which I thought were Common dolphins but after looking in the sea-life book I think they may have been Dusky dolphins.  They are smaller and the colouring is different, but it's not always that easy to tell as you don't get to see the underside of a swimming dolphin.  We paddled right up to them a few times, which was great -- I'd not gotten that close to dolphins before.  Stewart has had them jumping right over his surfski before and doing somersaults right next to him.  

We also saw 2 or 3 Heaviside dolphins, but we didn't even try to get close to them as they are very skittish and just disappear when you get close.  They have a triangular dorsal fin, so it is easier to tell them apart from other dolphins.

On the rocks we paddled to, we saw lots of penguins this time.  Previously, we'd only counted about 13 or so, but this time there were at least 40 -- many of them were young ones, still light grey in colour.  Must have had a very successful breeding season.  Hope they survive.  There are some sea lions around, and no doubt  -- they like snacking on penguins.

On the way back, we saw a red jellyfish swimming; don't know what type it is.  We normally only see them once they've washed up on the beach.   They sea was so clear but usually there is very little to see.  

Shannon and I went paddling a bit afterwards, but the wind had come up in the time it took Shannon to put on her wetsuit.  It got choppy very quickly so we just paddled in and out a few times.  Didn't even get to ride any swells in, which is really fun and makes Shannon squeal.