Thursday, December 18, 2014

Vacajun on the Water

For an explanation of Vacajun, see this post. None of the events of our vacajun will be posted in order, but who cares? I have so many photos and I might get around to them before the end of the year and I might not.

This was our adventure kayaking with my daughter, Autumn, and her fiance, Jason. First timers!
Autumn got into the kayak just fine. She was a little tentative at first, but she got the hang of it pretty quickly.


Is this a Neotropic Cormorant? It looks different from our Double-crested Cormorants.

8'-10' Alligator. I asked the kids if they were scared and both said 'No.'
We had our kayaks in a semicircle around him and just watched.

Jason was all smiles from the moment he entered the kayak.

After a few minutes, already like a pro!








Thanks to the lovely Anni for the link-up!

38 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail I am sure they are never going to forget their first time and your photos are incredible as always. Oh Enjoy the holidays and family. HUGS HUGS B

EG CameraGirl said...

A GREAT family adventure!

eileeninmd said...

Nice to see the family kayaking together! A wonderful day, cool shot of the gator and cormorant! Happy Thursday!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That looks fun! I have never been kayaking, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Great shots. Great smiles. Great time.

Anvilcloud said...

It does look like fun.

The Cranky said...

What a great adventure to share, and you've documented it so beautifully! Those happy smiles say it all. =)

Bethany Carson said...

That is quite the alligator! Nice shots of everyone! The day was captured beautifully; looks like a neat experience.

Irma said...

This looks like a fun family day.
The alligator looks pretty dangerous.
Beautifully shot of the cormorant, Gail.
Best regards, Irma

21 Wits said...

Oh Holy Gator! What great photos of place and loved ones.

TexWisGirl said...

looks like a blast, even with the gator!

Carola Bartz said...

I never did kayak, but I would love to! I'm not sure though whether I'd really like the closeness of the alligators that much... but this looks beautiful and like a wonderful family outing.

Debbie said...

oh that looks like so much fun!! the gator is a little scary but that's a great picture!!!!

Mitzi said...

These are all awesome photos...I cannot say I would be too eager to jump in a kayak just due to the fact that there just doesn't seem to be much space between one in them & the gators. That being said...I love your adventurous spirit...I will keep on living vicariously through your lens ;-)

Evelyn S. said...

Just wonderful, Gail! I love the looks on their faces. My own son and DIL are shopping for kayaks, I believe. No alligators in western Oregon, though! (I LOVE that photo of the gator.)

hootnonny said...

Yall are so brave to kayak in gator-infested waters!

hootnonny said...

Yall are brave to kayak in gator-infested waters!

Kerry said...

Ooooh they had such a good time; that means they'll visit often! That gator is a beauty, and posing so nicely, the lazy lizard.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You know those two are going to want a Kayak next summer in Oregon now. But they won't get to see a gator there! What a fun fun time.

nookworm said...

The experience will last a lifetime for the young couple. I'm sure they'll return for another kayak vacajun. Marvelous shots of EVERYTHING!

Shug said...

This looks like so much fun!! Of course...I would have panicked when I saw the gator!! Geez, that thing is huge!! I can't swim, so I'm not so sure Kayaking would be good for me....However, you all make it look so easy!! Have fun and think of me when you go out....I know this would be tons of fun..

Michelle said...

That looks wonderful, but the gator would have spooked me a bit!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks like a fun time.

Unknown said...

Looks like a fun day! The alligator would have frightened me...

Anonymous said...

WHat an adventure - and such lovely scenery.

I love love your daughter's wedding dress from the previous post too.

diane b said...

That looked like so much fun but I would be afraid of the alligator. Fab family photos of the kayaking experience. The swamps look magic. When we were there we were advised against going as there wasn't much water due to the lack of rain.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Great post, Gail! This is on my list of things to do (one of these days!).

rainfield61 said...

"Dance" with an alligator.

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

Amazing photos! I really loved seeing that gator up and close.... from here, so glad I was not there!! Good for you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots. Looks like so much fun.

Petra Pavlátková said...

It must have been a great day for you all, Gail. I like the trees growing in the water and I'd surely be scared of the Alligator!

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays Gail. Your weather looks nice.

Jen said...

Yep, Neotropic. It's smaller than a Double-crested, has the white triangular border, and no orange above the eye.

DeniseinVA said...

That looked like so much fun and a real special time Gail. Awesome photos! Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year to you all.

Glennis said...

Lovely adventure, but I would give the alligator
a much wider berth. Kayaks are such fun.

A Colorful World said...

LOVE Autumn's name. Looks like she and Jason had a blast kayaking! What a special vacajun! Love it!

Anonymous said...

That looks like so much fun! I do think y'all are crazy to get so close to those gators, though! :)

Suzan said...

Loving your kayaking photos!!! The kids are too young to be fearfull of the gator!! Gators move slower this time of year with the cooler air and water. surprised to see this one sunning!!