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Hurricane Brett.

by Scarlet Colley - October, 1999

Well, we made it through Hurricane Brett . We were very lucky with the course it took. Our beautiful island remained unharmed. The Laguna Skimmer was the first boat back in the water the day after Brett roared past. Capt. George and I were a little concerned with the wind and heavy chop on the bay leaving the marina in Port Isabel to redock at the Sea Ranch Marina . As our boat was lowered into the water I was apprehensive but the skimmer had been out in northerners before. We went towards the shipping channel, choosing this route back verses the swing bridge. We didnÕt want to face the huge waves coming across the open part of the bay by the causeways. No sooner had we made it to the shipping channel when we were greeted by our favorite little dolphin Baby and his new family. They came flying in great leaps through the water to us. Because of the wind and choppy water we kept on going and they followed us for a while not quite understanding why we didn't stop to be with them as we usually do. Then as we approached the mouth of South Bay where we had to contend with the huge waves coming across the opening, there came another group of dolphins. As they started leaping out around the boat I could see it was Can Opener , Skimmer, Nipper and her little one, Frosty, and the whole group. Again they didn't seem to understand why we were not stopping , but they stayed with us as we approached the green and red buoys where the water was really getting rough. Yet another group of dolphins approached leaping and flying. This time it was Lightening, Natcho and Titan's group. George and I realized we were the first boat they had seen or heard in a few days. The bay must have been an incredibly quiet place for them during the evacuation. No wave runners, no engine noises, no big motor sounds anywhere. They have become used to the sound and activity of boats. It must have been a very confusing time for them when things grew quiet all of a sudden. This could be a very good possibility, and an explanation, for their wonderful greeting they gave us the whole trip home.

We felt it a privilege to be on the water that day and to have had such an encounter with the wonderful dolphins of South Padre Island. We were concerned about Twister, Jasmine and their groups. We hadn't seen them in over a month. Capt. George and I got a call from a couple on their honeymoon and wanted a special dolphin encounter and sunset trip, could we take them within the next hour? I jokingly said as we were skimming out of the marina, that on a spontaneous trip like this I don't get to ask the dolphins to be at a certain place at a certain time and wondered where we would find them. We were no sooner out of the marina when there was a big group of our dolphins. The couple couldn't believe it and soon we were surrounded with none other than Jasmine, her baby, and group and Twister's group for a total of 18 dolphins. They greeted us rolling over each other and taking turns coming right up to us, bringing their eyes up out of the water to see us. They seemed to understand the special encounter they were sharing with the honeymooners. They stayed with us for over an hour as they frolicked and played and kept us in awe. It was wonderful to see the very groups we were wanting to see home safe and sound. Its amazing after almost 5 years of being with our dolphins that each encounter is as wonderful as the one before. They continue to touch our hearts.

George and Scarlet Colley operate Fins to Feathers photo safaris at Sea ranch Marina. The Laguna Skimmer takes six passengers or lass to encounter and document dolphin activity. For an appointment call 739-BIRD or email us at skimmer@fin2feather.com. Our mailing address is PO Box 5515 Port Isabel, TX 78578