One of the most pleasant surprises of my trip was the undeveloped campsite on Blake Island, which I had all to myself. Paddling around the island I was initially disappointed to find a flat open grassland, the first unwooded site I had seen. Disappointment however soon gave way to a kind of giddy joy, as I quickly began to appreciate the charms of this site. First was the unusual greeting committee--a semipalmated plover. Next was the site itself with its grasses and indigenous wild flowers. Third was the pair of killdeer (charadrious vociferous) that had taken up residence in the driftwood out on the point. At some point I must have gotten too close as I was treated to the entire display, complete with charade and vociferousness: Flying just beyond me, the male alighted about 10 feet away and began beating his wings in the dust, puffing up his feathers, squawking, and generally looking as tasty as could be. I watched in amusement knowing the routine. After a minute he peered over his shoulder, beat his wings a time or two more, looked to see if he would get a reaction, then flew off in disgust.
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