Island Perspectives

 

I have walked by this tree many times and always admire the beautiful texture. Yesterday the tide and clouds allowed me to capture this image at an angle that gave me a whole different perspective. The beauty of the islands never cease to amaze me.

The Great Egret

I know I take many photos of this bird, the Great Egret, but it is worthy of every shot. I was filling the boat up with gas when this guy was just calling to have his picture taken. Needless to say it took a long time to fill up with gas. This bird always makes me think of Guy Bradley, a plume hunter, who changed his way of thinking. He wanted to protect the the birds that he once hunted. Guy was given the badge and task to protect the birds he once hunted. It was the dawn of a new era. Guy was killed by another plume hunter in the line of duty trying to protect this bird you see in the photo above... the year was 1905. Thank you Mr. Bradley for your service and allowing me the opportunity to take photos of this Great Egret. If you would like to learn more about Guy Bradley, I highly recommend the book "Death In The Everglades" by Stuart B. McIver. 

Three Bags Full

Margaret and Pattie filled three bags full of shells. Their glass is always half full. Margaret and Pattie are always full of good energy. We spent the first half of the trip on a newly formed sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a blast and full of many shells - worm shells, tulips, horse conchs, fighting conchs and more worm shells. It was a great experience with two experienced beachcombers. Next we traveled to a beach empty of people but full of shells. Margaret was in heaven!  She loves finding the unique creatures from the sea as well as the shells. Pattie is also a great collector of beach items. She has a good eye for just what she wants. It was a wonderful trip with two fellow beachcombers.  I look forward to our next time on the beach exploring. Thank you Margaret and Pattie!

Capt. Brian

Curry Family and Semi

I love the state of South Dakota for many reasons. The Curry family(from South Dakota) proved to be another reason why I love South Dakota. David, Arlene, Renee, and Renee's friend Semi were great to go exploring and island hopping with. The trip started with viewing dolphin. Semi took many photos of the dolphin. Next we went to favorite spot #1. The beach was beautiful as ever. We shelled walked and talked. Renee talked about majoring in meteorology and how now she is studying ecology.  Arlene could have stayed on the beach all day(me too), Semi was ready for some shade and David was just happy to be there. It was time for our next island experience. We enjoyed a nice boat ride over to the Tarpon Lodge followed by a delicious lunch . After lunch we walked the pre-columbian shell mounds at the Randell Research Center.  We fit a lot in on this trip. The day was most enjoyable with new friends from the great state of South Dakota.

Gift From The Sea

What a day! Today I had two shelling trips. I scheduled the trips so I could jump off my boat and run down to Sanibel to go to a book signing between trips. Reeve Lindbergh, the daughter of Ann Morrow Lindbergh, was signing the book called  "Against Wind and Tide" a collection of letters and journals of her mother's. Reeve also signed a copy of the 50 year edition of "Gift By The Sea". It was a great day. I will always treasure this gift by the sea.

Sunset Tonight

Great sunset tonight on the water. John Mayer played his acoustic guitar as the sun slipped into the gulf. He sang Free Falling. Nothing but the notes, words and the sound of the incoming tide on the boat. I look forward to seeing the sun rise in just a few short hours on the water.

Photographer and Shell Collector, Kristen, from Kansas City

This week, I took Kristen from Kansas City out for the whole day.  We left the marina as the moon was setting and the sun rising, then returned to the dock as the sun set.  We started out on the flats taking pictures of the shells and marine life in the morning light. The conditions were perfect for photography on the flats.  I took over 300 photos before 9:00am. After shelling on the flats, we shelled the beach before taking off to the Tarpon Lodge for a delicious lunch.  Following lunch, we walked pre-columbian shell mounds at the Randall Research Center Site. The seas were calm which allowed me to travel near the north end of Cayo Costa in search of dolphin which she photographed for nearly 30 minutes. The remainder of the afternoon was spent shelling the beaches.  Kristen has a talented eye for photography and I always learn something from her perspective.

Thank you Kristen for a fun and educational day of shooting photos and shelling on the water.