Fossiling with a Native

The trip up to Englewood was was pleasing to the senses. Finding shark teeth and fossilized bones were equally satisfying . I had the help of "The Essential Beachcomber" who is a native Floridian and a beachcomber extraordinaire. She lives in the Englewood area and knows the nooks and crannies of all the surrounding beaches and what to look for. I was most grateful that she took time out of her schedule to show me her favorite spots to look for fossilized shark teeth and fossilized bone. She even knew of an off the beaten path area to look for fossilized shells.  I never knew there were so many ways to acquire these fossils. Different techniques were used according to the tides. I learned a lot from the Essential Beachcomber while she combed the beaches and talked as she walked. Many thanks again to the Essential Beachcomber for the insights on the local history as well as showing me how and where to find the fossilized sharks teeth.

Fossiling Expedition Part 1

Like the tide the full moon waits for no one. This is what I was thinking as I woke up at 3:30 in the morning . My plan was to watch the full moon set as I traveled up the coast to Englewood, Florida in search of fossilized shark teeth. Billy Gibbons was playing his guitar as the moon set and the sun emerged. I enjoyed the sounds of Billy's guitar as the moon and sun took turns falling and rising from the south end of Cayo Costa. I got a little distracted in the early morning light and took over 300 photos of Cayo Costa before I told myself that was enough.  Then I took a dozen more.  Later that day I was welcomed to Engelwood by a fellow beachcomber, actually,"The Essential Beachcomber".  More soon to come.

Driftwood and Sea Oats

Cayo Costa looked beautiful today. I look forward to watching the moon set into the gulf tomorrow morning at 6:07 off the coast of Cayo Costa. Then traveling farther up the coast and watching the full moon rise over Manasota Key.

Paul Brooke- Explorer, Author, Photographer, Poet and friend of mine was in town, so we went exploring.  We both enjoyed exploring habitats of the barrier islands on paddle boards.  Paul was new to the paddle board, but was a quick learner and trusted me to paddle him around with his camera.  We explored remote locations as evidenced in the pictures above.  It's a joy to take authors out in the field.  To view one of Paul's recents works, go to Meditations on Egrets: Poems and Photographs of Sanibel Island.

Great Egret with Fish

I enjoyed watching this Great Egret spear his breakfast then down the hatch it went.  If you look close you can still see a little of the green eye patch it has around it's beak. This green only last a few days and is part of it's breeding plumage.