Photography And Shelling With Ron And Carol

What a beautiful May evening. Ron and Carol traveled with me to secret spot number four and favorite spot number one. The shelling was good at secret spot number four and the birds were posing for the camera. Ron captured many good shots of the Osprey and landscape. He has a good eye for photography. I enjoyed the conversations we had about photography and cameras. Carol found many fighting conchs, a nice worm shell and a banded tulip. Ron and I enjoyed the last light of the day through the lens of the camera. The almost full moon made for another beautiful day in May.

Mangoes and Seashells

The last three days have been blue sky, then gray with scattered showers. I observed dolphin and paddle boarded past tarpon while enjoying taking pictures of a young Osprey that has been crying and learning how to fly for three days.  I also collected shells and found the second largest piece of Angel Wing shell EVER. This time of year in the islands is my favorite and is even better because the mangoes are earlier than usual. My new favorite is the honey mango, OMG. There is nothing better than a mango pulled out of an iced cooler, cut and eaten on the salt water, delicious.

Calm Seas

The water on the out islands today was stunning.

Captain Brian's Finds Of The Week

The wind last weekend blew extremely hard out of the west and northwest. Some gusts at Boca Grande were up to 60 mph. The gulf was a mess. The high winds brought in many shells. It can take a few days for things to settle down. When it does and the seas are calm, is when the shelling can be really good. The trough where the shore meets the sea is loaded with shells.  I am looking forward to exploring the trough on my favorite beach for the next three days. I was very excited to find a Scotch Bonnet, a piece of Junonia and even more excited to find a piece of a Helmet Shell. I found a piece of a Helmet Shell 16 years ago, ironically in the same spot. The sea never ceases to amaze me. The power of the surf is tantalizing. However, I was thinking different thoughts while out in the middle of this wind. Just me and Van Morrison, who was singing me "Into The Mystic".

Heavy Surf On Cayo

The beauty of the island is always changing.

Excellent Young Shellers

Shellers come from all over and many different ages in search of their favorite seashells. I was most impressed with the grandchildren of Pat and children of Jen. Ben has collected over 70 Wenteltraps. He has only been shelling for two years. On this trip he found three. Ben said, "I don't find Wentletraps they find me." He told me about the different types of Wentletraps and was pleased to find a Tusk shell. He was also more than elated to find a small sand dollar. Grandma had all the special containers to put them in. Izzy was also an amazing sheller. She knew the Coquinas and talked about Rose Tellins. The knowledge Ben and Izzy possessed about shells was inspiring. It was a great pleasure to listen and learn from two excellent young shellers. Thank you Ben and Izzy.

Captain Brian Graduates From The Florida Master Naturalist Program

Today I am proud to say that I completed the University of Florida Master Naturalist Program.  This program consists of three modules - Coastal Systems, Upland Habitats and Wetland Systems.  Each module is 40 contact hours including field trips, interpretive talks in the field and classroom work.  I chose to do a plant field guide for my final project.  You can see the field guide in the pictures above.  I am relieved to have this behind me, now it's time to RELAX and EXPLORE!