Summer Closes, Fall Opens

Happy Fall Equinox!



Back In Black

Yes, I am back, back in black. New bottom paint for the Muspa. It was time for a change of color. Grinding and sanding is always no fun. However it gives me time to think. There is nothing more thought inspiring for a water person than laying underneath his or her craft and grinding. Thinking of each scratch on the bottom and knowing where each one came from. I guess it was the long scratch on the bottom two summers ago in June in the Ten Thousand Islands that got me thinking. Maybe it was the dust of the paint. Whatever it was, I have been researching Cape Sable and the plants that were planted there ever since I took my first break grinding. The first Mango recorded  in Florida was in 1883. ( That statement alone sends shivers to my tongue.) To think of this going on in a place that is extremely remote even today makes me wonder.  Could there be a lone tree that is still there?  Some may say no.  I like to think otherwise. (The glass is always half full)  I look forward to exploring that area by boat later this year.  Grinding underneath your boat can lead to many things mostly being sore and very dusty, however this grinding time under my boat led to new possibilities  and adventures in a place I love, The Ten Thousand Islands. And yes I will be glad to be back. 

Tarpon Lodge with Nancy & Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was another great adventure with Nancy and Melissa. We started our trip by boating over to the Tarpon lodge for a delicious lunch. then it was off to favorite island number one. The storm clouds were building so we stayed at the north end of the island in a new hiding spot.(it worked great for riding the storm out.)  Nancy found a great whelk while Melissa took pictures of the birds and a rainbow. We followed the rainbow back to Captiva just ahead of the next wave of storms.  Two days later we went on another great cruise. This time the skies were a little more sunny and the dolphins were very playful as we observed sea turtles eating jellyfish.  It was a great day to observe nature on the water.

Thank you Melissa for taking all of the (great) photos above and

thank you Nancy for being the outdoor trooper that you are.

                                                            Capt. Brian 

Exploring Shells and Wildlife

The weather was perfect for exploring with  Margaret, Manny, Matt, his girlfriend and their niece.  We traveled to an isolated stretch of beach and walked to the sound side where we observed roseate spoonbills, willets, snowy egrets, horseshoe crabs, a raccoon, and kings crowns having lunch on a crab. The time seemed to fly by. While the anchor was being pulled, dolphins appeared off the bow of the boat. It was the perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Kip, Kerri and Crew

 



Kip, Kerri and crew went on two trips with me recently. The 1st day was Kip and crew.  We explored the flats and found whelks, more whelks than I have seen before. We left many on the flat.  Day 2 was Keri and the girls. With the girls we traveled to a beautiful place on the island where the water was clear and we found many sand dollars. They had an underwater camera and were able to capture some awesome photos in the water.  The afternoon showers rolled in early, so we headed back to Captiva.  I enjoyed both trips with Kip,  Keri and crew.

NY NOW Gift Show Displays Fossil Designs by Karen Robertson

I'm proud to share with you again Karen Robertson's Design "Wonders Of The Sea" featuring a fossil photo by myself on display at the NY NOW Gift Show in New York City through today. If you have not had a chance to check out the Karen Robertson Collection, she's a lovely and talented designer specializing in marine-life designs and nautical theme decor.  Karen says her brand reflects a lifestyle "to anyone who loves an ocean view" and I couldn't agree more.

Capt. Brian Working Behind The Clouds

I am very excited to let you  know about the classes I have been participating in. The Florida Marine Science Educators class was a  great learning experience.  I look forward to learning more from other classmates on other excursions. Florida SEE... My goal is to reach platinum level . It is the highest level you can obtain. I met with a Florida SEE evaluator this week to review the expectations to achieve this.  This week  was a week of goals. I look forward to reaching these goals and I will update you when I reach these goals.

             Capt. Brian