All too soon time had run out in Bermuda so time for a quick, last look around from both deck
and Street Level
Voyager's Flag of Registry in this case Bahamas.
The HOUSE SPARROWS
having had a fine old time skirmishing around the dining tables
finally left the ship
as AMERICAN HERRING GULLs
and RING-BILLED GULLs
Knowingly gathered for the potential feast awaiting
as the ship was Tugged from the berth.
Have you ever seen this done before SECRET??
It was now left to Passengers and Crew alike to savoir the views
as we navigated the long and narrow channel to the open sea.
The wind was rising easterly the evening sky was blue
The straights before us opened wide and free
We looked toward the Admiral where high the Peter flew
And all our hearts were dancing like the sea.
The flags are in fact, from left, the 'I have a Pilot onboard' signal,
Voyages of Discovery House Flag,
Voyager Flag of Registration and
The Courtesy Flag in respect of the country visited Bermuda.
A couple of distant Ducks look, on closer inspection, like
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
After a hour steaming we finally reached the last of the
Channel Marker Buoys
passing the Tidal Race and Reef
and the OUTER SPIT BUOY
The Pilot Cutter was soon alongside while I stood there
having wished the last 2 hours away for my own ends,
having wished the last 2 hours away for my own ends,
Darkness
was rapidly closing in and this stretch of seaway was the most likely
place to see the only Island 'endemic' bird, the now scarce and
endangered Bermudan Petrel. Despite staying on deck until even the
flashing of the Lighthouse was no longer visible the bird was not seen.
