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Sharks passing under our dinghy as we
approach
the Compass Cay Marina dock.
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“They’re our pets,” Jonathan
of Compass Cay Marina explained, nodding at the swirling sharks working their
way on top of their dinghy dock with the rising tide. “Meet Our Pet Sharks,” encourages their sign.
Indeed, they’ve named each
of the dozen or so friendly nurse sharks who cozy up for treats… Mutt, Woody,
Hook, Squirt, and Scar are a few in the gang.
They wiggle and waggle up
like friendly kittens. Their skin
looks velvety, so I satisfied my curiosity and petted one. The texture was like a150-grit fine
sandpaper; still softer than a cat’s tongue.
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Sharks queueing up over the dock in anticipation
of feeding time at Compass Cay Marina.
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I know nurse sharks don’t
attack humans. Still, it’s
disconcerting when there’s a dozen jaws at feet level, all swimming in the same
watery plane.
When we watched their
feeding from the high dock at Highborne Cay, several days earlier, I did not
want to encounter them on my swim from the beach to our anchorage. I swam that as swiftly as the time a
Doberman chased me at the track, back in my days as a runner. In fact, I was back at the boat on the
foredeck before Wayne motored the dinghy out of Highborne Cay’s harbor.
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Brave visitor volunteers to feed the
sharks at her feet
on the dock at Compass Cay Marina. I tossed ‘em
a tidbit
too. Disconcerting.
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Back at Compass Cay, We weren’t at all concerned about our safety (at least not from the sharks -- but that's another post!). Our
biggest worry was not getting our dinghy motor too close to the gang; for their
safety.
Location, Location
Feb 16, 2014. BAHAMAS.
Prescheduled Feb 15 2014 from Warderick Wells
Cay, Exumas (N24.23.624 W.76.37.975).
These posts were photographed in Highborourne Cay (N24.42.303 W.76.49.325) Feb 8, 2014 and Compass
Cay (N24.15.273 W.76.30.825), Feb
13, 2014, both in the Exumas. Next
stop: TBD – most likely Staniel or Major Cay, the Exumas.
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“Gulp!” Right place, right time. In a split second, one lucky shark
swallows its treat. The
others? Close, but no cigar.
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Wayne at Compass Cay Marina.
Sharks a little too close for his
comfort…
on the dock!?!
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Unlike the pet sharks at Compass Cay,
the Highborne Cay ones
looked menacing.
I swam near these sharks, but not that near
and definitely not with
them!
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