I have been putting a lot of time & energy into getting my boat ready to launch - scraping, sanding, painting, etc. So I was ready for a change of pace when I was asked to join friends out in the sound yesterday raking for clams. We left the docks at 11 am, and returned about 1:30. Bringing home a bucket of clams was a nice treat, but the real appeal was the opportunity to wade in the water (it wasn't even cold), watch the birds dive for fish, and savor another gorgeous spring day.
I am hoping to launch my boat this afternoon (the new paint job gleams in the bright sunshine)...and then I can go clamming anytime I want!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Project Nutmeg, and how Ocracoke almost became a site for testing nuclear weapons. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042112.htm.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What other wildlife do you tend to spy on such outings? Crabs? Skates? Fish?
ReplyDeleteFrom the Teach's Hole/Silver Lake webcams, it seems as if the weekend has been picture perfect, though maybe a bit more blustery today. I notice the number of boats in the harbor is on the rise, too. Things must be picking up for the season.
It is not unusual to see a crab or two, and maybe a skate (or a sting ray) or a flounder. It is best to push your rake in front of you so you won't step on a sting ray, a submerged piece of rusty metal (not common, but it's best to avoid them), or oyster shells. Sometimes you find conch shells with hermit crabs in them. On Saturday I raked up a small, live cockle -- not common, but not particularly unusual.
ReplyDelete