Immerse in an ECO-Tour and Experience Southwest Florida Islands by Boat

“Captain Brian Holaway is well versed in the intricacies of our unmatched locale. He can guide to and through a multitude of out-of-the way tidal creeks, bayous, keys and islands. More important is his passionate interest and respect for the region. With unique insights from his many explorations and his studies, not only does he identify the birds and wildlife that inhabit our semi-tropical watery land, but he explains their interconnectedness to their environment and each other. In addition, he shares the fascinating history of rugged people who came long before us: Florida Native Indians, the Calusa, the Spanish, the Cubans, early homesteaders, and the wisdom evident in the growth of their culture.

You will come away with great enjoyment and a new understanding of this beautiful place and its history.”

Historian, Betty Anholt
Author of Sanibel’s Story

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

August Photos













Here are a few of my favorites photos from August. I am looking forward to taking out some California shellers this month.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Johnson Family Nancy and Melissa

















The Johnson family, Brian ,Nancy and Melissa have traveled with me on many trips over the years. Every August it's Nancy and Melissa. We always manage to find something off the beaten path in our travels. This trip was no exception. We left Captiva bound for Cayo Costa with dark clouds to the south(we were traveling north). The plan was to go to secret spot #3 on Cayo.  The rain clouds were starting to move closer so we back tracked and waitied out the storm under a protected shelter on Cayo Costa.  After the storm passed we headed back to secret spot#3 and explored a beach empty of people. Nancy loves to shell and Melissa loves to photograph nature and wildlife. Melissa has an excellent eye for birds on the landscape. She was thrilled to shoot many pictures of the black skimmer, pelicans on the beach, and a very close shot of an immature osprey eating a fish and then flying away. The clouds were equally as satisfying as they cast there shadows close to the sea oats. Cayo Costa is amazingly beautiful before the sun sets. ( One of the many times the island is beautiful. Lets see there is sunrise,moon set, moon rise,8 o'clock am 9, 10 11, 12. O, then 1:00 pm then it starts all over until you get to sunset.)  Sorry I got sidetracked by the 24 hour Cayo Costa kaleidoscope. Melissa took some excellent photos as usual. She even got a picture of a belted kingfisher. I seriously think she is the kingfisher whisper. I can rarely get a picture of one of these undulating anxious birds. Meanwhile Nancy was barefoot in ankle deep water shelling with the sun over her shoulders, when she said'" I found a sand dollar". She also found a beautiful lighting whelk. The time seemed to fly and everybody was hungry so we motored over to Barnacle Phil's on North Captiva for a satisfying diner. Then we watched the sun cast its last shadows on Cayo Costa.

Monday, August 22, 2011

4-H Photos, Shelling, and Fun









I enjoyed taking four Native Floridians from the panhandle exploring on a photo, shelling, and wildlife outing.  Our trip started with rain clouds lurking in the gulf . We traveled to Cayo Costa and let the rain pass while we took shelter. The younger ladies are very active in 4-H and were interested in taking photos for different categories in 4-H contests. This was music to my ears! One of the girls used 35mm film and her friend used digital while the mom was shooting digital pictures. Grandma was just having fun.  The mom is an excellent sheller and has found great finds in the panhandle of Florida. I put this on my list of places to go shelling.  She also collects miniature shells like the "Sanibel Sisters" do. Believe it or not she showed me a picture of miniture shells she had collected that all fit on the head of a penny.  One of the miniatures was a sand dollar- AMAZING. After an enjoyable walk on the beach collecting shells and photographs we motored back to Captiva.  I enjoyed three generations of Floridians and listening to the stories of 4-H and the beaches of North Florida. Good luck girls on the 4-H photos!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Out West


























Life on the Great Plains. Always refreshing to go back to the land you were chiseled from.