Full Moon Morning

The morning started with the moon low on the western horizon. I traveled with two veteran shellers to secret spot # 5. Five days before our trip the winds on the gulf were 30 mph plus. I was anxious to check out the high tide line, now that the gulf was finally calm. Many shells were collected. The highlights were Olives, a beautiful Lace Murex, Fighting Conchs, two very large Banded Tulips, excellent worm shells and an Albino Whelk. Observing live Olives was also a treat. The solitude on the beach was pleasing to the ears. I enjoyed exploring with two veteran shellers.

Sunset And Storm Clouds

Tonight the storm clouds were too good not to be out on the water. I took many photos of the sunset and storm clouds. I was hoping for mammatus clouds but they did not appear. The storm started to break up as the sun slid into the Gulf.

Christine, Susan, Elaine And Young Grasshopper Continued

Christine and crew gave me a surprise present ( Actually four). Fossils from far off places. The fossils are all from Madagascar except the Lions Paw it came from the Carolina's. Thank you for the fossils and a fun day on the water.

Susan,Christine, Elaine, and Young Grasshopper

The day before the March full moon, Christine, Susan, Elaine, and Young Grasshopper left the dock in search of shells, a sunset, great food and a moonrise. We all got more than we were looking for. The trip started by traveling to one of my favorites places to eat by the water. The delicious and beautiful Tarpon Lodge. After lunch we toured the 50 acre archaeological site at the Randell Research Center. The vistas from these large shell mounds are stunning. Then we boated over to secret spot #...The entry into this spot was delayed due to other boats in area. Finally, we arrived on a beautiful stretch of beach and the weather was perfect. Time quickly flew by, it was time to move on and get the anchor set to watch the sun fall into the Gulf. The ride was windy and Captain Brian got very wet. The sunset and moonrise were toasted with champagne. We were the only boat out on the water. (Probably due to the high winds:) The moon was beautiful and the sunset and conversation were equally as satisfying. We pulled anchor under an almost full moon and travelled back to the dock. The trip back was memorable and very wet. I dumped over a cup of water out of my boot. Christine and crew are always laid back and enjoy whatever the day unfolds.

Every Day Is An Adventure

Every day is an adventure especially with Judy from Oregon. What a hoot! This was her first time shelling in Southwest Florida. The shelling was excellent. I was thrilled to see the Scotch Bonnet! She collected angel wings, a large sharks eye, pear whelks, lighting whelks, fighting conchs, four babies ears, carmel worm shells, olive shells, sun ray venus, a kings crown, then the strap on her shelling bag broke. Lucky for her there were two straps. We talked about the shelling in Hawaii and what she finds on the Oregon coast. ( She told me of a beach where she finds agates on the coast of Oregon, I promptly filed this information on beaches to go to.) It was a fun adventure with Judy. All I can say is " Scotch Bonnet"

DOLPHIN SMART

Wild dolphin conservation program welcomes new Southwest Florida tour business

 

Captain Brian Holaway is recognized as Dolphin SMART

NOAA Fisheries Service and its partners welcome

Captain Brian Holaway to Dolphin SMART - a unique wild dolphin conservation program. Dolphin SMART is a program that awards annual recognition to tour operators who responsibly view wild dolphins and educate their patrons on dolphin conservation. Captain Brian Holaway operates a charter out of Captiva, Florida, specializing in shelling, nature photography, and natural history.

“We are pleased to have Captain Brian Holaway as part of Dolphin SMART,” said Grant

Craig, NOAA Fisheries Service’s Southwest Florida Dolphin SMART coordinator. “His tours

promote ethical and sustainable viewing of wild dolphins ensuring important dolphin behaviors such as nursing or feeding are not disturbed.”

Viewing dolphins from a responsible distance is a cornerstone of the Dolphin SMART

program. According to scientists, close viewing of wild dolphins may disrupt important natural behaviors resulting in negative impacts to the health of dolphin groups and their young.

Advertising only natural wild dolphin behaviors is another important feature of the program;

rather than showing close human interactions that may disrupt important behaviors.

“I am proud to be associated with Dolphin Smart,” said Brian Holaway, charter captain

and guide, “I look forward to educating children as well as adults about the marine mammals

that inhabit the Southwest Coast of Florida."

Captain Brian Holaway is one of 13 Dolphin SMART recognized operators in Florida,

Alabama, and Hawaii. NOAA encourages visitors to Southwest Florida, the Florida Keys,

Alabama, and Hawaii to “look before you book” and support wild dolphin conservation by

patronizing a Dolphin SMART business. Vessels of participating businesses carry a Dolphin

SMART flag and decal with the current calendar year. Each year, participants are evaluated to ensure they continue to meet program standards. A list of Dolphin SMART businesses is

available online at http://www.dolphinsmart.org

 

The Dolphin SMART program was developed by NOAA’s Fisheries Service and Office of

National Marine Sanctuaries, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and Dolphin Ecology Project. The acronym “SMART” is a reminder of the basic principles of dolphin viewing etiquette:

Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins,

Move away slowly if the dolphins show signs of disturbance,

Always put your vessel engine in neutral when dolphins are near,

Refrain from feeding, touching, or swimming with wild dolphins,

Teach others to be Dolphin SMART.