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

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Photographer and Shell Collector, Kristen, from Kansas City

























This week, I took Kristen from Kansas City out for the whole day.  We left the marina as the moon was setting and the sun rising, then returned to the dock as the sun set.  We started out on the flats taking pictures of the shells and marine life in the morning light. The conditions were perfect for photography on the flats.  I took over 300 photos before 9:00am. After shelling on the flats, we shelled the beach before taking off to the Tarpon Lodge for a delicious lunch.  Following lunch, we walked pre-columbian shell mounds at the Randall Research Center Site. The seas were calm which allowed me to travel near the north end of Cayo Costa in search of dolphin which she photographed for nearly 30 minutes. The remainder of the afternoon was spent shelling the beaches.  Kristen has a talented eye for photography and I always learn something from her perspective.
Thank you Kristen for a fun and educational day of shooting photos and shelling on the water.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Veteran Shellers





Long time Sanibel shellers from Canada joined me for a beautiful day of shelling and wildlife viewing. The dolphins were in a playful mood. I was most impressed by the keen eye of veteran sheller Chris. Chris found the largest nutmeg I have ever seen. The horse conch was a great find.That size of horse conch is hard to find. Great finds, Keep on shelling!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Time On The Water

 

Today I watched the sunrise, the sunset and the moon rise on the water.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Mississippi Girls

 
 





Five adventurous "Mississippi Girls" went exploring with me to a couple of secret spots and a new spot. The shelling was good and the finds of the day were a huge winged oyster, a piece of a lion's paw, a piece of junonia, sand dollars, a large piece of coral and a beautiful sea whip. These ladies were a lot of fun and the weather was perfect. I look forward to our next outing.
P.S. Things are booking up for February and March  if you are thinking of going out in those months you may want to plan ahead.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Capt. Brian in the Amazon Circa 2000

 

















Last Sunday I had the opportunity to meet Wade Davis and listen to him speak about his most recent book, Into The Silence.  Wade Davis is the author of fifteen books and an award winning anthropologist who is an in resident explorer for National Geographic. He was also a student of my all time favorite ethnobotanist, Richard Evans Schultes. In my eyes, Schultes is the "father of ethnobotany" and one of the greatest plant explorers of all time. In the year 2000 I had the opportunity to travel to the Amazon Rain Forest in Peru and study plants in one of the many areas that Schultes had studied 50 years before.  It was the opportunity of a life time and it was all brought back into focus last Sunday when I met Wade Davis who wrote One River about explorations and discoveries in the Amazon Rain Forest.
Wade Davis inspires me in how I look at plants, people and cultures. 
THANK YOU Mr. Davis!