BY MILES LAYTON
EDENTON — Dolphins were swimming in Edenton Bay about an hour or so after sunrise Thursday.
I saw them – maybe three or four dolphins – when I was kayaking not too far from the mouth of the bay, about parallel to Laurie Buckhout’s house – which is an unofficial landmark in the Bay because it sort of marks a boundary, meaning it’s a short paddle to the Albemarle Sound.
Yes, people occasionally see dolphins in the bay, but it is not a common occurrence.
When I first saw a dorsal fin traveling toward me, I thought, “Crap, I’m going to need a bigger boat” because it might be a bull shark, which can be found in the Albemarle Sound. They are known to inhabit both saltwater and freshwater environments, including rivers and sounds that connect to the ocean. I’ve never seen a bull shark up close in all my years kayaking the Bay and the Sound, but there’s always the first time.
But as soon as the dolphin came up for air and did that sort of flip-turn thing, I knew I was safe or at least in less danger. Lead dolphin’s buddies circled my kayak, did a flipturn or two before continuing toward the mouth of the bay. Dolphins were so close I could hear them breathing, maybe even mumbling under their breath about the green water.
Photo that I posted to Facebook — photo credit goes to University of Houston. I don’t carry a cellphone camera when kayaking — too many wet/destroyed/lost phones and when there’s no phone around, you get true peace.
Parting thoughts — when you’re out there deep in the Bay, alone, and something like that happens, uncertainty and all when surrounded by a pod of dolphins, you marvel at God’s creation and plan for everything. Those kinds of experiences underscore that you are just part of His universe – man is not the center.
Each day is a gift from God, so embrace the day!
3 responses to “Close Encounters with Dolphins in Edenton Bay”
We’ve seen them in the Chowan River by Black Rock as well.
A couple of years ago some were spotted swimming in the water just off the Barker House near the Cypress tree.
They swim by my home home on the Perquimans every year and are a marvel to see. I am always afraid they will get snagged in one of the fishing nets, but they never seem to so. They are very smart apparently. I have not had the pleasure of getting a “Lone kayak viewpoint” yet but I can certainly empathize with your initial trepidation.
You are wise to leave the expensive phone at home. You are most certainly getting a more enjoyable experience of God’s creation amidst your surroundings, and potentially saving hundreds of dollars from “Slippage”. Even with your years of experience on the water, I am certain you carry a less costly form of calling for help should the need arise.
Thank you for sharing this reminder of the beauty of Northeastern North Carolina with us.