We’ve had a change in weather overnight. The blue skies are all gone. As I suited up to go kayaking, I could see that I’d probably be dealing with some rain before I got back to the boat.

I started paddling toward the entrance to the inlet, following the shoreline. Before I’d gone very far I encountered this very large and bright jellyfish.

The water is unusually warm and full of plankton, schools of baby fish, and a variety of jellyfish.

I’d just taken my last photo of the jellyfish when I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. It was a blue heron. When I moved, he took flight and landed in a nearby tree.

The rain had started and I was having a devil of a time keeping my camera dry, but I was hoping the rain wouldn’t amount to much, so I continued on. My persistence was rewarded with the most hilarious sight I’ve seen in a long time. At first I thought I’d spotted a couple of seals “playing”. They appeared to be rolling and rolling. When I zoomed in, however, I found that it was not a couple of seals, but a single sea otter giving himself a good wash. He scrubbed and scrubbed, from head to toe and tail. I got a great video I’ll post on YouTube first chance I get.

The rain was really coming down by now, and I should have turned back and paddled straight for the boat. But, I kept thinking, “I’ll turn back at the next point.” Then, I spotted a Stellar’s Jay, a bird I’ve been trying to find for years.