Bird Island

Mark Gurling

Clear skies but smoky air when leaving the jetty. Upon leaving the jetty, I was surprised at the greater amount of visibility than was anticipated. Around 13 knots of wind, northwesterly. Reefed immediately. Todd had me take the helm, and we headed direct to Bird Island. Once there, hove to and watched the birds mill about, a few of them peeling off here and there. Todd explained the travertine reef that ran out from the island and explained how to avoid it. We headed straight back, and in a few tacks, we were ready to douse and head into the jetty. I wrestled down the main in a sloppy "flake." Back at the dock, we cleaned up the sails, and I headed home for the night.