The Miller Family

What an extraordinary family- Corey, Kim, Graham, Chloe, Quincy and Wren. I have enjoyed this family for many years, they are always positive and their glass is always half full. We had a blast collecting fighting conchs (and there were many) and exploring the mudflats. We walked the beaches in a remote area collecting the conchs, when Wren said, "Captain Brian can we go back to the swamp?" So the swamp it was.  We returned to where we started and the girls got to play with live hermit crabs and make little corrals for them before letting them go. Kim found a beautiful lightning whelk. Corey was happy to just be there and enjoy his family. I was happy to be a part of this family's memories.

Fun with Richard and Ann

This was a fun day with Richard and Ann.  We took lots of pictures, had enjoyable conversations on cameras, shelling and camping.  Ann found albino cockles, her first alphabet cone, fighting conchs, worm shells, a gaudy natica and lightning whelks, just to name a few.  Richard took some pictures and I managed to snap a few too.

Exploring With Laura And Gail

I enjoyed exploring with Laura and Gail from Alabama. They collected many miniatures and also enjoyed the wildlife. We observed a hermit crab in a very large tulip shell, a stingray , a beautiful live brittle star and a large pod of dolphin. The sunset was pleasing to the senses. Thank you  Laura and Gail.

Magnificent Day

One of my favorite birds is the Magnificent Frigatebird. This bird is is an ocean going bird. It snatches food from the water in flight. I have heard stories of this bird being in the water after an unsuccessful attempt at getting food. Once this bird is in the water it cannot get out. It is unable to spread its wings and get lift off that low to the surface. Today I saw one in the water and retrieved it from the water. Then I placed it on the rail of the boat in hopes that it would fly. It was still soaking wet and sitting calmly beside me. I then realized that the rail of the boat may not be high enough for the bird to start flying, so I  wrapped a towel over my right forearm and set the bird on my forearm. Then we turned the boat into the wind and picked up speed. I held my arm as high as I could hold it in the air. For a moment it was just me and the Frigate into the wind. I knew it was time and he seemed to know it was time to spread its wings and fly. The Frigate did just that, he spread his wings and flew. It was an amazing moment in nature. Truly amazing. I was happy to be there to help my feathered friend the Magnificent Frigatebird. It is nice to know when I look up, the Magnificent Frigatebird is watching over me.

Great Egret

I know I have blogged about this bird before the Great Egret. Today it was showing its breeding colors. I can never take enough photos of the green around its eye patch.( This green only happens for a few days a year) It reminds me of Guy Bradley who helped save this bird from extinction and also of the the key named after him in the Florida Everglades... Bradley Key.

May Sunset

May is coming to a close. It seems  like I wait all year for May,... then its gone like the sinking sun. I look forward to the last days of May on the water.

Clouds

The clouds speak to me every day. Listening to what they say can be hard at times. Today was not one of those days. Sammy Hagar eased my mind, with a song he covered many moons ago,"A Whiter Shade Of Pale" and so it was.