The tour began about 7:15am in Crisfield, MD where we boarded the Elizabeth Joy II that took us to Smith Island (about 40 minutes and of course birding along the way). Once at Smith Island we boarded three smaller boats and visited nearby islands (staying in the boats) to see nesting egrets and herons.

Our birding tour guide is Jim Rapp. Jim, an excellent birder and tour guide, identified the birds along the way - Herring Gull, double-crested cormorant, brown pelican, glossy ibis…

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At high tide we headed over to the Brown Pelican nesting colony. We pulled up to the shore in the small boats (we stayed in the boats). After a moment the pelicans settled down and went about their business - feeding, bickering with each other, preening, stretching and even approaching the boat.

This was an incredible experience.

The young in this nest were only about 3 weeks old.

Feeding time…..

We arrive in Tylerton, Smith Island for lunch at the world famous Drum Point Market.

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After a fine lunch of crab cake and Smith Island cake we boarded smaller boats to visit the pelican nesting colony on a nearby island.

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ID - BRPE12

The young in this nest were only about a week old.

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ID - BRPE20

We went back to Smith Island to board the Captain Jason II for our journey back to Crisfield.

We passed a couple recently constructed Jetty’s and the Martin National Wildlife Refuge.

What a wonderful day and such a unique experience. Thank you Jim!!

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