Stow away

[All U Get]

Hi all,
During our trip from RI to Maine we had travelled out of Gloucester, Ma for five hours and I asked my wife why we hadn't seen any sealife during our trip. It was a bit unusual but within minutes we saw spouting ahead of us. There seemed to be several whales that were able to outrun us and then turn to give us another tease. This went on for half an hour and then, gone.
The wind changed from light astern to right on the nose so I went forward to adjust the main sail. While standing near the mast a small bird was flying next to me keeping up with the boat. I went back under the Bimini and he fluttered in and out a few times. Then the bird decided to take a turn at the watch and found the fordeck to his liking. He stayed with us for 25 miles until we were in Casco Bay cutting through Diamond Cove. He flew off like he was headed to a Lobster Bake on the island. What a great trip.
All U Get

 

[CalebD]

I hope the lobster bake was worth the trip!
Those poor feathered creatures must get tired winging it all the time.
It was good of you give the bird a lift.

 

[All U Get]

We were concerned that the larger birds would look at this tiny peep and make his life short. He did make it into the trees before we lost sight of him. Maybe I can use him as a reference for other snowbirds wanting a smooth ride North.
All U Get

 

[higgs]

Had a trip under power in Lake Michigan where a finch hitched a ride and walked aroung the boat and on us. Stood on my shoulder a while.

 

[Bob McL]

1,000 miles out of San Diego on the way to Hawaii, and there was a finch on the back deck. I don't recall when I saw him last, but he was there a couple of days. (No - not a sailboat - a cruise ship. Maybe someday I'll have the right boat to go.)

 

[RAD]

Whoa!......what about pictures of the whale?....... you always see birds but not whales

 

[sinnettc]

Had a goldfinch land right under my chin on the tie of my lifejacket when I was a kid. We were bringing the boat from CT to NYC on LI Sound I think. My grandmother came out of the cabin, freaked out when she saw it, and scared it off.

 

[JustDucky]

After leaving Moorehead City in 2005.

 

[All U Get]

Whoa!......what about pictures of the whale?....... you always see birds but not whales

Our cheap old camera couldn't zoom quick enough to get a shot and we try to maintain the 200 foot distance rule. Years ago we had one come up 10 feet from the starboard bow of our Catalina. I turned hard to port and it dove under our boat to come up 100 feet on the port side. It's hard to avoid something you can't keep up with.
All U Get

 

[sailaway78]

Severral times

Out in the gulf I have had swallows land on the boat. Had one spend the night perched inside the cabin on clothes hanger once. Usually these little fellows are so exhausted you can piick them up.

 

[FourPoints]

On a J-109 I helped deliver last summer from LIS to Annapolis, This little guy helped the autopilot steer and kept watch for about 2 hours. After he got a little more rest he flew up to the main and tried to tighten the cunningham without much luck, After about an hour of that he decided it was time to head ashore to atlantic city and play some slots...

 

[okawbow]

Last year, we were about 1/2 way from Mobile to Key West, when this little Heron landed on the boom. He stayed with us all day and even ate a little left over tuna. He left when he spotted a fishing boat in the distance.