Okay, this is more like it
After 2.5 solid days of rain that dumped over 20 inches of water on this island, we're finally experiencing some pleasant weather here in Roatan. The sun began tentatively peeking its head out yesterday, and by last night things were back to normal.
The northern storm front that moved in over the weekend brought with it a mass of water so immense it increased sea level by about six inches. When the front moved on, sea level dropped by maybe four inches overnight, and another inch or two the following day. I find that incredible.
The weather here now is warm, maybe mid-80s, and slightly humid, but much more tolerable than it is during the height of summer. Water temps are in the low 80s. Since it was so nice out today I started my morning with an after-breakfast kayak paddle. Then I decided I would rather spend time in the water so I donned my snorkel gear and spent the next 1-1.5 hours floating around and looking at critters. It's amazing just how much life you can find in 2-4 feet of water, a literal stone's throw from the resort:
Last night we watched bats feeding! There were probably a dozen bats (although it was impossible to be sure) each taking turns sipping nectar from the hummingbird feeder. Each bat was the size of a large mouse with wings. I've never seen that sort of behaviour before, and had never seen bats so up-close before either. I loved it! This morning the hummingbirds were at the feeder and I think I got some good photos of them. I'll bring the camera out tonight in case the bats return.
The resort has a new pet since the last time we were here: a sleek orange tabby named Neeno. Apparently he was "hired" as a kitchen cat, but when a 7.3 earthquake last May brought all the pots and pans down around him, Neeno ran out of the kitchen and hasn't been back since. Neeno is very friendly and I love having him around. We first arranged this trip after our kitty passed away earlier this year, so Frederick thinks it makes perfect sense for us to have a surrogate kitty keep us company while we're here :)
The northern storm front that moved in over the weekend brought with it a mass of water so immense it increased sea level by about six inches. When the front moved on, sea level dropped by maybe four inches overnight, and another inch or two the following day. I find that incredible.
The weather here now is warm, maybe mid-80s, and slightly humid, but much more tolerable than it is during the height of summer. Water temps are in the low 80s. Since it was so nice out today I started my morning with an after-breakfast kayak paddle. Then I decided I would rather spend time in the water so I donned my snorkel gear and spent the next 1-1.5 hours floating around and looking at critters. It's amazing just how much life you can find in 2-4 feet of water, a literal stone's throw from the resort:
Last night we watched bats feeding! There were probably a dozen bats (although it was impossible to be sure) each taking turns sipping nectar from the hummingbird feeder. Each bat was the size of a large mouse with wings. I've never seen that sort of behaviour before, and had never seen bats so up-close before either. I loved it! This morning the hummingbirds were at the feeder and I think I got some good photos of them. I'll bring the camera out tonight in case the bats return.
The resort has a new pet since the last time we were here: a sleek orange tabby named Neeno. Apparently he was "hired" as a kitchen cat, but when a 7.3 earthquake last May brought all the pots and pans down around him, Neeno ran out of the kitchen and hasn't been back since. Neeno is very friendly and I love having him around. We first arranged this trip after our kitty passed away earlier this year, so Frederick thinks it makes perfect sense for us to have a surrogate kitty keep us company while we're here :)