Recently, we had the priviledge of going out on a sunset kayak trip with Wendell, owner and proprietor of EcoQuest Nature Tours.

Launching on kayaks into Rookery Bay, the first thing we noticed is how quiet it was. Birds would sail across,as the water would lap up against the mangroves. Wendell navigated us through the waterways to several "rookeries", which is a place where birds roost at night. Hundreds of different birds were either already roosting for the night, or gliding in across the calm waters for the night.

Playful dolphins visited us twice on the trip, and mullet would fly out of the water as if happy to greet the evening.

We observed a bonded osprey couple protecting their nest, and even say a wayward raccoon at the Rookery Bay preserve.

The trip is not difficult, and is great for families. Ecoquest has both single and tandem kayaks to choose from, so everyone will be happy in their excursion.

For more information on kayak trips, or specialty nature hikes, visit EcoQuestNature tours at http://www.ecoquestnaturetours.com/