Introducing Wonders Of The Sea By Karen Robertson and Photographer Brian Holaway

This month Karen finds herself at her favorite Florida Gulf Coast habitat, Captiva Island, where she explores remote unspoiled beaches, accessible only by boat, with guide, photographer and master naturalist, Captain Brian Holaway. For a memorable experience of discovery.

Karen and Captain Brian Holaway

INTRODUCING WONDERS OF THE SEA

1.5 - 3 Million Years Old Shell Fossils

Karen uncovers and acquires one of the largest known and conditioned Florida seashell fossil collections. Encompassing thousands of shells, this most rare and valuable collection will be offered as new framed and table-top artworks for all to treasure and display as home decor.

The above is from Karen Robertson's newsletter. Karen is an award winning designer who loves the sea. I spent last week with Karen photographing her in the out islands.  I am excited to have taken the above photo for this newly designed picture called "Wonders Of The Sea" designed by Karen Robertson. She is lovely to work with and a creative innovator in the world of marine life. This is part of a fossil shell collection  she acquired recently and will take her months to go through. I am looking forward to seeing more of her fossil collection in her designs in the comming months.

Shelling With Katie And Penny

Katie is an avid sheller and probably the youngest blog follower. Katie's mom told me about her daughter's passion for shelling as we left the dock. Katie had reread her shell guide book on the plane ride down from Kansas City.  She found three zig zag scallops, olives, sand dollars, a perfect mini turkey wing along with many other treasures. We walked past thousands of coquinas which was an amazing sight. While we were shelling a pod of dolphins swam close to the beach. It was a most enjoyable day of shelling with Katie and Penny. 

Keep on shelling and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Katie!

Lauren And The Sea Grass Expert Robin

Lauren explored with me with a few months ago with her family. This time it was just her and Robin the sea grass specialist and swimmer. The weather was perfect and the water unusually clear. I wish all days were like this. Lauren had a new underwater camera that she let me use. I enjoyed testing this camera. Lauren is a sand dollar connoisseur and on this trip she added a few to her collection. Robin  enjoyed wiping the sea grass from her mask as she found many new shells. She thought the whole experience was shell excellent. (Robin was not only a sea grass expert but a clever wordsmith.)  The trip ended too soon. Lauren found many sand dollars and Robin enjoyed the sea grass. Thank you Lauren for the use of your underwater camera. I look forward to our next adventure and Robin's report on the sea grass of southwest Florida.

Sea Turtle Rescue

 

 

 

 

 

Roopa and Varsha wanted to see a sea turtle, well we all got to see a sea turtle and more. Not long after leaving the marina one of the ladies spotted a sea turtle. I looked over to see the turtle and noticed its left flipper caught in a net. Then the turtle dove and we lost sight of it. We circled the boat around and looked for a long time before finally spotting the turtle again. I didn't want to get too close with the boat.  I had Roopa drive into the wind and I set the bow anchor.  She put the boat in neutral and I slid over the side of the boat with my knife. I swim towards the turtle which seemed to take forever. When I got close everything seemed to go fast.  Something bumped my leg and the turtle dove.  Then I dove to get the turtle and started feeling for the back of the shell. My hand caught the net it was trapped in. I pulled the net up and realized it was a landing net for fishing. This turtle was swimming around with this landing net with a 6 foot handle. I used my knife to cut the net and the turtle swam quickly away from me.  I swam back to the boat where Roopa and Varsha helped get the net on the boat. It was quite the experience for all of us. Roopa did a great job driving and Varsha took pictures of the whole thing with her camera. They were both very calm and did a great job. We all got to see a sea turtle and will not forget this experience any time soon.