A Day of Sharks and Lobsters

Day 291  |  South Bimini

With sights set on finally being able to depart Bimini, it was laundry day on Crossroads. Two loads completed this morning and put away. At 1:00 we joined up with Melissa and Jeff (Flip Flop) and walked down the road to the Bimini Biological Field Station, aka Shark Lab. Along the way we spotted one of Mike's tree carvings. (We had met Mike, an 11-year resident of Bimini, on our first night up at the Thirsty Turtle.) The Shark Lab tour was held at low tide so that we could walk out past the fledgling mangroves to the observation pen. Staffers Erin and Izzy gave us an overview of the history and research being done at the facility. In a water corral, they showed us a lemon shark and a nurse shark (pictured) and explained their characteristics and habits of each. On the shore, a huge termite mound was hard to miss.

Sharklab's primary missions are Understanding, Educating, and Disseminating. Researchers capture and tag sharks while also conducting captive experiments and dietary analysis. It was an interesting side trip; something we did not expect to find here. Not long after returning to the marina, Jeff and Melissa came over in their dinghy to let us know that the mailboat had arrived this morning in North Bimini and the grocery store was now freshly stocked. Barry hopped in with them and darted over to pick up some milk and a head of cabbage. He also came back with a dozen lobster tails -- a very nice surprise. The marina has at least a dozen resident cats that live in the bushes and rip rap. This little ghost cat was hanging out in the rocks as we walked to a new section of beach to watch the sun set. It started out pretty good, enhanced by the heavy cloud cover.

As we sat and watched it develop, it turned more vivid. Barry headed back to Crossroads before me and got started grilling a few of the tails for dinner. Two tails each with rice and a salad was a very nice meal.

The following photo is my favorite from this evening.