Heading north

We made many friends down in Boot Key this year but the Appalachian Trail was calling so we turned north earlier than normal,,, and you can tell by the night time temp. Even though we are still in Fl the nights have started to get cooler (we had to add an extra blanket to the bed). When the weather cooperates, we sail on the outside but when the winds come out of the north we motor on the ICW. On those days, I’m up before 6 AM to make coffee, pull anchor and start north before the sun rises.
There is lots to see on the ICW but it’s boring motoring along at a slow jog.
One pleasant thing about the ICW is the amount and variety of birds. Whether it's flocks of white pelicans or watching the brown pelicans swoop down within inches of the water and glide in the boundary layer next to the surface it's all interesting.Sometimes, they just sit like sentinels on the posts as you go by. The shores are speckled with herons and ibis. Popping up from under the water are cormorants and an occasional dolphin. Yesterday for 20 minutes one stinker of a dolphin would continually surface right next to the cockpit and blow for air thereby blowing dolphin spit all over the deck, cockpit and me! I finally tried to yell at him but it did no good and I almost got a face full when I did.The birds give Edie something to do too, she barks and chase them away whenever she notices them. I think the abundance of wildlife that we see during the winter on the boat is one of the greatest attractions for me to the cruising life.