Scale Key lies just northeast of the town of Cedar Key. The island is part of a chain of dozens of small islands that make up the Cedar Keys. The shallow waters between the town and the island chain are peaceful and for the most part free of motorboats except for the occasional fishing craft. All kinds of wildlife find the stillness and abundance of secluded coves in these waters hospitable. On our recent trip, we didn't have to wait long to spot oystercatchers poking their bills into the mollusk-encrusted shoreline. As I approached in my kayak, camera in hand, they didn't seem to mind my getting close in to take a few pictures. As we explored the shallows, swirls erupted ahead, likely from fleeing mullet. A few of the disturbances may have been the calling card of redfish, the elusive species coveted by the tanned and tattooed anglers we spotted earlier crowding the town dock with their high-riding pickup trucks and galvanized boat trailers.
As Scale Key came in sight, I spotted drifts of white on the shoreline. White Pelicans? A quick confirmatory look through my binocs prompted some inspired paddling and a game plan for photographing these incredible birds. I had seen these migratory giants before, near Shell Mound, peaceably gathered on sand bars. They are quite shy, unlike their brown cousins, and will not allow people to get closer than about 100 yards. When they are disturbed, they don't fly off in a rush but instead calmly step into the water and paddle away in loosely formed flotillas. I think it's amusing how well this low key escape strategy, performed with about as much excitement as people leaving a screening of "Winged Migration", has assisted their survival. I aimed for the beach ahead, about a quarter mile west of the pelicans, and planned a sneak approach on foot.
I left my kayak on the white sand at Scale Key and headed toward the sand bar where the pelicans were gathered. They stood with their bills pointing regally upwind. I had only an 85 mm lens (good for a close-up shooting distance of only a hundred feet or less) and could see how easily the birds spooked. I waded across a small channel and hoped its depth, concealed by the cloudy water, didn't exceed my ability to keep my camera dry. As I got within about 150 yards, the birds started to look agitated and so I began shooting, praying for a few good shots. Some birds went aloft and others started marching off the bar and into the Gulf. Within about 2 minutes of shooting, most of the flock was now heading away from me in loose bands toward another bar. Back home editing the results, I managed one decent shot. Note to self: pick up 300 mm telephoto lens.
