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Magnificent Day

01 Jun Magnificent Day

Posted at 02:01h in Uncategorized by
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One of my favorite birds is the Magnificent Frigatebird. This bird is is an ocean going bird. It snatches food from the water in flight. I have heard stories of this bird being in the water after an unsuccessful attempt at getting food. Once this bird is in the water it cannot get out. It is unable to spread its wings and get lift off that low to the surface. Today I saw one in the water and retrieved it from the water. Then I placed it on the rail of the boat in hopes that it would fly. It was still soaking wet and sitting calmly beside me. I then realized that the rail of the boat may not be high enough for the bird to start flying, so I  wrapped a towel over my right forearm and set the bird on my forearm. Then we turned the boat into the wind and picked up speed. I held my arm as high as I could hold it in the air. For a moment it was just me and the Frigate into the wind. I knew it was time and he seemed to know it was time to spread its wings and fly. The Frigate did just that, he spread his wings and flew. It was an amazing moment in nature. Truly amazing. I was happy to be there to help my feathered friend the Magnificent Frigatebird. It is nice to know when I look up, the Magnificent Frigatebird is watching over me.

Brian Holaway
relaxandexplore@gmail.com

I have been a Shelling Guide to Cayo Costa State Park since 1995. Many people know me as the Shelling Guide and Captain with Captiva Cruises over the past 20 years. In 2016 I began solely offering private small boat charters to the islands of Pine Island Sound including Cayo Costa State Park, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Pine Island and North Captiva. I am a certified Florida Master Naturalist, licensed USCG Captain, avocational photographer, seashell enthusiast and passionate about the history, people and culture of Southwest Florida, especially Cayo Costa. I volunteer as a member of Friends of Cayo Costa State Park and have great respect for the heritage of Cayo Costa. My goal is to provide guests with an overall experience and appreciation for the waters, islands, shells, plants, marine life, wildlife, history and people of this unique area of Southwest Florida.

16 Comments
  • Shelllady
    Posted at 02:23h, 01 June

    What a cool story!!! There has to be a wonderful message in it somewhere!!! I wish I could have seen that…I think you should feel extra special to have helped that magnificent bird!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!

  • Capt. Brian Holaway
    Posted at 02:37h, 01 June

    Shelllady, There were more messages than the book of Psalms today. I felt extra special to be a part of the whole experience.

  • Melissa
    Posted at 03:41h, 01 June

    Wow! This is awesome! Great pictures and quite a story to tell!

  • Kim@Snug Harbor
    Posted at 04:01h, 01 June

    That was spectacular! A once in a lifetime experience. Who would know that those birds couldn't fly once they landed in the water? I learned something new today. Oh how you must have walked on air all day after such an experience.

  • Capt. Brian Holaway
    Posted at 04:06h, 01 June

    Kim, Still walking on air. Right now I see no land in sight, "nothing but air", nothing but air". Capt.Brian

  • Liz
    Posted at 11:37h, 01 June

    Very cool story! Thank you for sharing.

  • gpc
    Posted at 12:21h, 01 June

    What an incredible experience! The 'one-ness' of it all takes my breath away.

  • Roxanne Reinhart
    Posted at 13:05h, 01 June

    Amazing experience…I would not have known the bird was in distress. It looks like he is just floating along waiting on a fish to come past. How fortunate for the bird that you came along. What an incredible feeling to save another living creature!! I can only imagine.

  • mkdally
    Posted at 13:05h, 01 June

    That's so spectacular! What an experience!

  • Blue Crabs, Hon!
    Posted at 16:23h, 01 June

    Don't know anybody who deserves a moment like that more than you, brother. U got nature zen n whatnot.

  • Nikolas Ventura
    Posted at 19:11h, 01 June

    I was amazed by this whole thing. I wish I would have ha my camera out! From my point of view it was even more incredible. Great job Brian!!

  • JoJo
    Posted at 21:02h, 01 June

    How simply amazing…someone made sure you were in the right place at the right time. And only you could have known what to do. Wow.

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 23:17h, 01 June

    http://www.birdfellow.com/journal/2009/04/10/bathing_with_frigatebirds

    That would have been his final bath! Nice work, Captain!

  • Kaybe
    Posted at 05:38h, 02 June

    You are my hero!

  • Little Black Scrap Cat
    Posted at 22:25h, 02 June

    What a lucky Frigate that you happened by!! You are amazing!

  • Lori White
    Posted at 02:06h, 06 June

    What a great story! You were at the right place at the right moment!