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.”
One of my favorite birds is the Magnificent Frigatebird. This bird is is an ocean going bird. It snatches food from the water in flight. I have heard stories of this bird being in the water after an unsuccessful attempt at getting food. Once this bird is in the water it cannot get out. It is unable to spread its wings and get lift off that low to the surface. Today I saw one in the water and retrieved it from the water. Then I placed it on the rail of the boat in hopes that it would fly. It was still soaking wet and sitting calmly beside me. I then realized that the rail of the boat may not be high enough for the bird to start flying, so I wrapped a towel over my right forearm and set the bird on my forearm. Then we turned the boat into the wind and picked up speed. I held my arm as high as I could hold it in the air. For a moment it was just me and the Frigate into the wind. I knew it was time and he seemed to know it was time to spread its wings and fly. The Frigate did just that, he spread his wings and flew. It was an amazing moment in nature. Truly amazing. I was happy to be there to help my feathered friend the Magnificent Frigatebird. It is nice to know when I look up, the Magnificent Frigatebird is watching over me.
I know I have blogged about this bird before the Great Egret. Today it was showing its breeding colors. I can never take enough photos of the green around its eye patch.( This green only happens for a few days a year) It reminds me of Guy Bradley who helped save this bird from extinction and also of the the key named after him in the Florida Everglades... Bradley Key.
May is coming to a close. It seems like I wait all year for May,... then its gone like the sinking sun. I look forward to the last days of May on the water.
The clouds speak to me every day. Listening to what they say can be hard at times. Today was not one of those days. Sammy Hagar eased my mind, with a song he covered many moons ago,"A Whiter Shade Of Pale" and so it was.
I love May. May sunsets are my favorite. Sharing time on the water with Helen, Dave, Kay, and Jerry was a pleasure. It was there first time to the out islands. ( They got spoiled with the beautiful May weather) We all enjoyed the shell collecting and observing all things wild. Jerry was the "sleeper sheller" who found sun ray venus and.... a baby's ear shell. Dave found many cool cockles that he balanced on his arm. (I like that) Helen and Kay both had smiles on there faces the whole time. The sunset was inspiring. The dolphin seemed to like the May weather as well. Thanks for all the great questions and conversations it was a great trip.
The Johnson family has traveled with me for many years. This year we left the dock at 1:00 in the afternoon and returned after the sunset. The May weather was absolutely perfect. We had our usual "loose itinerary"(What ever pops up in nature, lets go explore it!) A new sand bar had formed 48 hours before in the Gulf and I was anxious to explore it. That is where our trip began. The color of the water was deliciously inviting.( kinda like a mango on ice) We found a large live horse conch and took a picture of this beautiful shell and then put it back where we found it. We then traveled to one of my favorite spots and found and observed many shells. The tide was falling fast. So fast that the stern of my boat was almost on the bottom after our long walk on the beach. The storm clouds were still farther inland as we made our way to one of my favorite places on the water to eat. (Nancy's favorite) The quiet and peaceful Tarpon Lodge. The food was superb and the waitstaff even better. It was now time to catch the sunset. My plan was to watch the sunset beside Cayo Costa. Soon after leaving the Tarpon Lodge we saw roseate spoonbills on a mudflat.( The tide was incredibly low.) We all enjoyed the moment and the beauty of the roseate. We enjoyed it so much we decided to just watch then sun fall while we were tucked in beside the mangroves. It was a beautiful moment. Just the sounds of the birds wings and the north northwest wind on the side of the boat. I always love the loose itinerary of the Johnsons. Thank you for another "loose itinerary" adventure.
