East Florida Beachside

Superlative

2012-02-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

Yes, today is Super Bowl day and it was a super day for kiteboarding and it was a super day for just being out on the beach. What more can I say!

Dazzling skies

2012-02-01T11:27:00.000-05:00

Summertime I seem to capture stunning sunrises because of my before-the-heat treks to the beach. During the winter I am equally thrilled with the variety and magnificence of the skies, though they be entirely different.

Above celebrating the end of January 2012 with skies that looked like someone had taken a big paintbrush of white to streak the blue.

February's beginning brought a dazzler of sun and sea. 70º wasn't so bad for a February 1st morning either. Oh frabjous day!

Barefooting

2012-01-23T20:22:00.000-05:00

I was feeling kind of blue because I hadn't been to the beach in about 3 days and even though I had gobs of things to do today I just HAD to go to the beach or go crazy. It was beautiful, calm and peaceful. Just what I needed.

Remembering a conversation with friend about how going barefooted outside connects you more closely with Mother Earth, I decided to shun the shoes and do some barefooting. The water was a chilly 60 something and bracing to say the least. Scream-producing at first, to be more honest.

The day was complete after I found a sand dollar. Joy redux!

Changes

2012-01-16T15:05:00.000-05:00

I'm going to catch up on a couple of days being neglectful of this blog.
Two days ago it was beautifully clear and the mighty Atlantic Ocean was anything but mighty.

Looked more like a farm pond except for the large shrimpers plying their trade off shore. But it was beautiful and sunny and a good day for a walk.

However like the rest of life, the ocean, fortunately, always brings changes — helps keep things interesting.

Today the Atlantic was more ocean-like. Rolling waves and the unique sound of surf as it hits the sand brought a smile to my face. The blue skies were perfect and the sun dazzling.

Again... a good day for a walk. Wish you could join me.

Transported

2012-01-08T15:50:00.000-05:00

It was beautiful, beautiful, beautiful today at the beach as witnessed by these gulls I called three-by-the-sea with one of the many shrimp boats as backdrop. A sunny 70º and I was reveling in it.

Then suddenly I was transported to a foreign country... Egypt? Central or South America? Who knows but this was truly a work of art and not only was I in admiration of the skills and hard work involved but my idyllic beach revelry was greatly enhanced by the journey to other worlds. Thank you pyramid builder.

Hello beach!

2012-01-05T18:11:00.000-05:00

It has been too chilly the past two days to make beach walking as pleasurable as it should be. Today our chilly temps and strong winds disappeared, typical Florida weather... always changing — and the beach was inviting once again.

This quick shot was my entry to paradise. I was most intrigued by the different tones to the water from deep blue to tropical green in a striped pattern. Unfortunately the camera didn't pick up this subtle variation like the human eye did, but hopefully you can sense the crisp clear day and beautiful beach that invited me to come and enjoy.

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T11:05:00.000-05:00

Calm winds, sunny skies, serene seas... what a wonderful start to 2012.

The beach was blissful and delightfully void of people, the winds were calm, the sky was striking in its blueness and the whole environment gave me such a serene feeling that I didn't even manage to take many pictures.

Hopefully this lovely day portends what the rest of 2012 will be like. That would suit me just fine. Happy New Year to all.

The day after...

2011-12-26T13:37:00.000-05:00

It doesn't take long for the weather in Florida to change, hence today's windy gray day. What a change from a lovely Christmas day. No complaints from me. I still enjoyed the beach... and there's always tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:58:00.000-05:00

What a joyful day at the beach this was! The temperatures were perfect in the upper 70s, the cloud formations were ever-changing and just plain stunning and the sea itself looked like it was having fun rolling in and out.

There were lots of people. One visitor was complaining that it was too hot and I said aloud... "No bah humbugging allowed on this beautiful day. You could be home shoveling snow." Thankfully everyone laughed.

Here are a couple more photos so I can share this joyful day with you.
Merry Christmas!

Winter solstice

2011-12-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

Since we experience winter solstice this week with the shortest day of the year, it seems appropriate that it should be celebrated with shining seas and skies. A perfect beach day... beautiful. As a bonus, the days will get longer from here! Woo hoo.

Hello again!

2011-12-17T17:50:00.000-05:00

It's been a while but I'm here again, at last. We had several days of rain, then a couple of days of high tides during prime walking times and, well... just lots of idle excuses.

Today I managed to make it to the beach only to be greeted by more seaweed (See Back to Normal post on Nov. 19th.) The Sargasso Sea again made a huge deposit on our shoreline just as last month's accumulation had begun to disappear. It's stinky and unsightly but that's Mother Nature for you. Not always pretty.

We're expecting a cold front later today and though at first there was not a cloud in the eastern skies, to the west... there definitely was something afoot.
As the day grew towards evening, the front was beginning to affect the eastern skies as well, but made a lovely close to a lovely, and warm, December day.

I enjoyed my late afternoon stroll and picture taking and laughed when I got home and saw that I had taken a couple of self portraits.

The long shadows were a surprise and a delight. Kind of like Where's Waldo. This final shot was one of a brave swimmer in the 64º surf. Can't see him but there I am, long and tall in the corner. Fun!

Untethered

2011-12-11T14:05:00.000-05:00

An obligation I had for today was unexpectedly canceled at the last minute and surprisingly I felt like a helium balloon whose string had been released by a small child who then stood in wonder as its balloon soared into the skies. I didn't feel one bit like the bewildered child.

Instead, released, I headed to the beach with a hip hip hurrah and a skip in my step. There I was greeted by my osprey soaring as free as I felt! Lucky bird, lucky me.

It was absolutely invigorating, the ocean was rough and seas were running high. There was a steady northerly wind and the clouds were perfectly framed in the blue skies. Joy. Untethered joy for me as well as the birds who were speeding south with a tail wind or just soaring where the winds would take them.

Lucky us!

Blissfully oblivious...

2011-12-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

There are days that I make a point of not listening to the news, no TV, no radio just peace and quiet and absorbing the atmosphere in my own little world. Today was one of those days, well, until I was on my way back from the beach, that is.

It is almost 80º with shining sun and just a few wispy clouds. A gull enjoys floating on the southwest wind and I was reveling in Florida's gloriously warm December 7th weather.

Then I ran into a beach buddy who lamented the approaching cold front. Bah Humbug. I liked being oblivious to the approaching 40º temperatures. Above are a couple of gloriously unsuspecting photos. Enjoy without a jacket.

Ketch Up!

2011-12-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, this morning there was a ketch up on the sand when I arrived at the beach about 7:30. A sad plight indeed for this a sturdy little sailer. There were people standing around musing on what to do. I continued on my walk knowing she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. It was dead low tide and eventually the incoming tide would change things but for now she just lay there, stranded. Sad.

She ought to be out plying the waves, taking her passengers on exciting journeys. Providing power from the wind that would thrill and enliven the spirits that cared for her.

But alas some of her rigging is broken, her sails lay bunched in tatters and she was stranded.
The American flag was still flying as more people gathered to offer an opinion on her fate. When some started crawling all over her slanted decks making haughty decisions, it was time for me to leave.

I left feeling sorrowful for the plight of the ketch but hopeful at the wonderful memories she left behind for those who loved her.

December 1... already!

2011-12-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe this year will soon to be coming to an end. I'm going to have to do some looking back and putting things into place to figure out what I missed.

One thing I missed today was my beach walk. It was a little chilly, the wind was blowing, the sun was hiding and by the time I was moving it was high tide. I tried to slog through the sand and 15-mph headwinds but decided it was just a lot of hard work. With a head slap I remembered that in the winter I enjoy the park just north of here with walking trails over the dunes between the ocean and the river. Off I went.

Not only was it a lovely walk blocked from the winds, but I was greeted with beautiful nandina bushes. The vibrant green leaves and bright red berries bolstered my Christmas spirit and I was humming Christmas carols by the time I finished. It turned out to be a wonderful walk after all.

♪♫ "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." ♪♫ ♪♫

Giving thanks

2011-11-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we are often reminded of all the things we have to be thankful for. Even if it's just a roof over our head and hot and cold running water, the majority of us are very lucky.

I was silently whining when some of the local farmer's market vendors did not show up on the Friday following Thanksgiving and my favorite vendor was about 30 minutes late. However, if he had been on time I would have missed this spectacular look at the sun (above). The unfortunate part of the whole scenario was that I only had my cell phone camera. So there's a crummy shot of a spectacular sky.

I missed one day at the beach but happened to get there late in the afternoon Saturday. Families were mostly packed up and gone for the day but the few hangers-on were enjoying this peaceful time.

Everything was winding down, shadows were long but the sun was still making a showing in the clouds above. It feels very different at the beach in the afternoon — somehow more serene. I suppose there is simply less anticipation of the day ahead and more reflection on the day we just traversed.

A late day osprey was searching for its evening meal. Everything was beautiful and serene. I was indeed thankful.

Gold and gray dawning

2011-11-22T10:41:00.000-05:00

When I first went to the beach this morning I was sure there would be no sun, in fact I suspected there may be a rain shower or two. Instead I was greeted by a gray day and a golden sun. Here are three levels of gold and gray. Enjoy! I certainly did.

Love the sun's rays, trying to shine through those thick gray clouds...

A full-blown sunrise just the way it should be — shining on the surf. Ten minutes later the clouds swallowed it up completely as if it had never happened.

November dawn

2011-11-20T18:06:00.000-05:00

Surprise, I did manage to see a November dawn over the ocean. I made an early-morning trek to the farmer's market and captured this lovely shot before I captured a load of fresh vegetables and fruit.

Then on my way back, I stopped for my long walk and literally consumed this lovely crisp, exhilarating day. Mid-November and there I was in shorts and short sleeves enjoying the sun and surf. Doesn't get much better than that!

Beach walker

2011-11-16T12:29:00.000-05:00

I almost got to the beach at sunrise this morning but not quite. However, it's a good thing I missed the dawn or I may not have enjoyed seeing this fellow beach walker.

Back to normal... almost

2011-11-14T23:08:00.000-05:00

The surf today... clear, calm and not a cloud in the 75º sky. Wow!

The surf two days ago... murky with seaweed from a tropical weather event off the coast.

Yes, finally the seas have calmed and the huge chunks of the Sargasso Sea that have been deposited here lately are subsiding. Huh?
The Sargasso Sea is a huge mass of seaweed that floats in the currents of the Atlantic Ocean starting about 60 miles off our coast. (This map is not mine but thanks to a Google search.)

The seaweed on the beach and in the tall surf of two days ago, seen above as brown waves, is now gone. Hurrah! The masses of seaweed still on the beach will eventually disappear as the sea reclaims it.
But today, lounging on the sand was an interesting piece of driftwood that reminded me of a sea monster...

and a house that was here yesterday is gone today! Poof. Eaten by a big yellow monster.

Even the osprey enjoying this day seems to be producing its own contrail.

What an interesting and varied day this has turned out to be!

Stinky and more...

2011-11-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

Ten days of strong offshore winds have unleashed a few tons of seaweed on our beach and since it has been here for more than a week, it is becoming rather pungent. Stinky.

Yesterday, I walked north in an area with fewer dunes and was amazed by the erosion and seaweed literally knee-high in several places. Mother Nature will eventually clean things up but not until the ocean stops being so turbulent. On the other hand the waves are fabulous and a much more pleasant sight if you keep facing east.

I did notice the harbinger of winter with the return of the cute little Royal Terns. Don't ask why I'm so intrigued with the way they look but to me they are just cute — sort of remind me of a college professor I had. I also noticed several had bands on their legs. Can you see in this group shot that the front two on the left have little silver bands on their right leg?

Seaweed and wedding bands. An interesting day at the beach.

Wild and glorious beach

2011-11-06T14:10:00.000-05:00

Finally, the obligations that have been dragging me down for the past 3 weeks are mostly behind me, I'm free and reveling in our wild ride at the beach. Tides have been overly high, waves have been large and choppy, skies are cloudy and the wind has been strong out of the east-northeast.

But what's not to love, even if the beach is full of seaweed and even if low tide is so high you are almost walking in the dunes. Imperfect as it is I'm so thankful to be here. The osprey are having a bit of trouble finding fish in the choppy waters and the sun is trying hard to scorch its way thought the clouds, but I'm grinning like a mule eating briars.

Yard ornament

2011-10-30T12:06:00.000-04:00

Haven't been to the beach in four days! Argggggh! I'm feeling used and abused and haven't had the time to replenish my soul. However, a sense of calm and peace came right to my front yard.

This lovely great egret landed inches from my front walk, I grabbed my camera and hurried outside. He spread his wings and floated next door. Then across the street. What a wonderful lawn ornament he made! What a lesson in stillness he brought with him.

Big Blue

2011-10-23T15:56:00.001-04:00

The change of seasons makes for a change in my beach walking habits. No longer do I have to get up before dawn and hit the beach before the sun makes being outside unbearable. We've had a touch of chilly weather, well... if you call the 50s that quickly warm up to the 70s chilly, then so be it.

What we've had are big blue skies, not a hint of humidity and perfect beach walking. Perfect fishing for the osprey, too. (Tiny dot in the center.) Maybe not as thrilling as the sun's appearance on a summer dawn, but if this were Montana we'd be calling it big sky, but we've got big sky and big seas. How about calling it big blue instead?

Monday skies

2011-10-17T18:14:00.000-04:00

Just a quick look at today's spectacular skies. It almost doesn't look real but it was very real and very glorious. Woo hoo!

Idyllic Sunday

2011-10-16T12:03:00.000-04:00

Regrettably, I haven't been on this blog for a while, but I've been to the beach daily recharging my soul.

This morning I noticed that many birds were out enjoying this partly cloudy yet perfectly temperate day.

This fisherman was enjoying his chores while the two egrets in the foreground were waiting for free handouts. A nice day to be fishing. Oh I do wish you could hear the surf, the cry of seagulls and feel the sun on your skin cooled by the refreshing breeze. Heavenly.

The ospreys were out in force today too. I don't remember seeing so many at one time and I believe there were as many as six in the skies at once. Four of them were much smaller than the other two, so with a little anthropomorphism thrown in, I'm thinking families out for a Sunday morning fishing expedition.

The clouds were strange and lovely, dark to the south, heavy and white to the north and west. (The tiny speck in the photo above is an osprey.)
So, am I grateful to be here? You betcha!

Reprieve

2011-10-10T14:40:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful day it is today and a wonderful reprieve from our incredibly stormy weather over the weekend. That strange sub-tropical low pressure system along the coast was surprisingly powerful. Today is spectacular.

After two days of rain, Sunday night it seemed to hit its peak. I could hear limbs falling and things were hitting my roof and my windows that made me jump. Then there were fire trucks and police cars with lights flashing. What? A large oak limb had fallen on a power line on the street just west of me. No loss of power, thankfully, but a little neighborhood excitement and much cussing and discussing of the weather.
This morning the sun was out for the first time in 3 days and my yard is just full of tree debris. A neighbor lost half of a big oak which took out a Norway spruce on its way down. I worked in the yard for two hours and the only evidence that I did anything is the large pile of limbs and palm fronds for curbside pick up. I could see this was going to be a long chore.

Since I hadn't been to the beach since Friday (today is Monday) I decided the bits and pieces of limbs and leaves could wait and off I headed. That glorious sunshine, stunning surf and reconnection with my favorite spot in the world was just what I needed to recharge my soul.

There was some beach erosion but Mother Nature will fix that over time. Amazingly, the turtle's nest that was laid on my birthday hatched last night...
I can't imagine how those tiny turtles survived the storm and rough surf but apparently they made it. No little fellows stranded on the shore or in the seaweed. Hurrah!

The surf is fabulous, the sky is very blue and life is back to normal. Normal is good.

Stormy weather

2011-10-09T10:26:00.001-04:00

Early Friday morning there was a portend of things to come... these rain clouds at sea were the veritable tip of the iceberg.

Since then we've had rain, rain and more rain accompanied by wind sometimes gusting to 40+ mph but a steady 10 to 12 mph straight out of the east. At least it isn't cold and to be honest it's electrifying.

This is my usual approach to the beach but not very approachable or inviting...

The picture below is not mine, the strand is a bit too intense and wet for me but came thanks to a fellow beach walker who is braver than I. Thanks!

Anger abated

2011-10-04T14:18:00.000-04:00

I try to keep myself on an even keel mainly because getting mad makes me angry. Today I got angry with a bank teller and instead of heading off to finish my errands, my little car headed to the beach seemingly on its own accord. I hadn't planned my walk until after my chores so I was without the correct shoes but took my angry self to the shoreline anyway. Barefooted is best anyway.

The crystal blue skies and gorgeous surf was an instant snit eraser. Then I was treated to three osprey also enjoying the beautiful day. (Only managed to capture two in this shot.)

As my mood lifted I noticed some words written in the sand. It's usually hearts with initials, or "So-and-so loves... whoever." Curious, I looked closer and then laughed aloud. How can you not love this one:

In a huff? Go to the beach, there will be unexpected delights when you look for them... especially if you love cheese.

Hello October

2011-10-01T19:40:00.000-04:00

Hello sun, welcome October. Fall normally is just barely beginning on the first of October, this year I went from a sleeveless beach walk to wearing a jacket in one day. Yes, it was downright chilly this morning and the strong northwest wind didn't make a beach walk any easier.

However, October is one of my favorite months here in Florida. No heat, no air conditioning, windows wide open and just a joy being outside. This morning's sun said it all. Hello!

Tiny hint

2011-09-26T11:39:00.001-04:00

This morning there was just the most tiny hint of fall in the air. I think it was because the humidity was lower, there was a nice breeze and at the beach there was just simply a feeling of a change coming.

The waves were wonderful, the sky was a beautiful blue, the clouds were interesting. Heaven. Wish you had been there to capture it all. The best I can do is photos. Smells, breezes, feelings... well you're on your own with those.

Even the pelicans are enjoying their morning flight.

Oh, speaking of clouds, late yesterday afternoon I was outside and after hearing the rumble of thunder looked up to see this interesting cloud formation. It turned gray then went away with nary a drop of rain.

Ditto

2011-09-22T22:53:00.000-04:00

A weird weather pattern has it raining in the morning which is very disruptive for long beach walks but provides interesting clouds.

So just like the other day it is clouds, clouds, clouds (with lifeguard stand and bird thrown in for good measure.) Without repeating myself I'll just say ditto. Each, fortunately, is individual and interesting if not just simply breathtaking.

Enjoy and remember to run between the rain drops.

Clouds, clouds, clouds

2011-09-19T13:20:00.000-04:00

Sunday was so rainy there was no beach going not even with rain poncho or umbrella because of lightning popping all around. I missed my walk and was grumpy all day. Today there was a very brief shower then hope with nothing but clouds — and what an exciting assortment of clouds we had. I'm happy to share these few with you.

This was my initial greeting:

The angry cloud monsters:

Marshmallow cloud monster:

Look closely, there's sun in here somewhere near the horizon, barely pink:

This is my favorite. Looks like snow on the mountains. Stunning!

So, it ended up being a very interesting walk and fortunately the rain held off until after I'd been home for about 20 minutes. Phew!

Green visitor

2011-09-17T08:43:00.001-04:00

No, not a little green man from Mars visiting my house, but a little green lizard or anole. Hard to spot the tiny critter in this first picture.

We have many, many little lizards that are native to Florida. They are cute, fast moving, cats love to chase them, and as a kid we used to have them bite our ear lobes so we'd have a lively pair of earrings. They don't bite hard at about 2 to 3" long, excluding tail.

However, since there are over 500 species of these little lizards and many of the non-native invaders are more aggressive than these sweet little green ones, it has been a long time since I've spotted one. Fortunately I already had camera in hand when this little fellow was trying to blend in to a jade plant on my front porch. He was doing a pretty good job of it too. Cute!

Monday, Monday

2011-09-12T15:35:00.000-04:00

With the song, Monday, Monday rattling around in my brain, I found quite an unusual morning when these storm clouds at sea were giving us a light show of lightning and streaking sun at the same time. Do you think I could capture the lightning on camera, of course not, but the cloud formation was interesting nonetheless.

What I did capture was another lucky somebody who didn't have to go to work today. The fisherman got his feet wet and a couple of egrets were hoping to share his catch. I wonder if he knows how lucky he is. Clouds were pretty too.

Pot 'o Gold

2011-09-07T11:15:00.000-04:00

As usual I was intrigued by our sunrise while keeping an eye on the rain clouds to the west.

What I got instead of rain was a rare and beautiful rainbow.

This lady who I see often with her nose in her journal gave me a strange look as I stopped to take another picture. I said, "look behind you." Reluctantly she did then thanked me. I was happy to share with her, as I am happy to share with you. Wish you could have been here with me.

This photo with the American flag stirs me beyond belief. Lucky me! Another great start to a great day.

Simply sharing the dawn

2011-09-04T18:19:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to share the different aspects of the dawn, day to day and minute by minute. Makes me happy to be alive, and vertical, and I just want to share with those who can't be here too.

September 3, speckles and stripes

September 4 red skies in the morning...

Finally, about 45 minutes later than the red skies above, here comes the sun!

What a day, what a day!

2011-09-02T21:05:00.001-04:00

I knew today was going to be a great day as the first light of dawn was stunning, even a little later the sunrise was even more incredible — it almost looked like a Rorschach test.

THAT wasn't the best part... Check back to July for the posting called "Turtle Thrill" when I spotted a rare green turtle making her nest in the dunes. Well, right on schedule, unscathed by Irene's high tides, those eggs hatched today and the baby turtles headed to sea. Alas, it was not without struggle.
Someone in a nearby condo left their porch light on and since baby turtles are steered by light, many of the hatchlings headed deeper into the dunes instead of out to sea. I found one little guy on his back tangled up in a bush, I set him upright in the sand and watched him go... camera with video in hand. The whole process took close to an hour, I've edited his trek for you to see.

I was not being mean by not taking him directly to the ocean. They need to strengthen their muscles by crossing the sand, and they need the time to imprint this beach on their DNA so that they will return here to nest again... in 30 years.
Before long the turtle patrol arrived and more hatchlings were found in the brush and sent on their way. We could tell from the many, many tracks that most hatchlings made their way around the bushes in the dunes and eventually crossed the sand in the right direction. All in all five were saved and headed back to the sea just like the little fellow I got the opportunity to film.
Hard to believe he was smaller than the palm of my hand, hopefully you'll notice the shoe print in the sand in the video and see just how tiny he is.
Good luck little guy, you had a beautiful day to start your life. You also started my day off just perfectly. Thanks.

Great colors, interesting shape

2011-08-31T10:17:00.002-04:00

On the way to the beach I passed a friend who said the colors this morning were particularly spectacular. She was right and I have this lovely photo to share with you.

Interesting cloud shapes as well. And to think I had to drag myself out of that comfortable bed. It was worth it once I got started... the getting started part was the most difficult.

The Shell Seekers

2011-08-29T13:41:00.008-04:00

Admittedly I'm sick and tired of the media's Irene frenzy. I'm sorry for any suffering caused by Mother Nature but she does that on occasion.

However, Irene's high and violent surf left us with lots and lots of shells... Shells at the tide line as far as the eye can see.

We usually don't have too many shells on our beach, but for the past several days I've come home with pockets full. Including sand dollars, sea urchins, olive shells, paper thin muscles, both sides of various mollusks in all shapes and sizes...
This morning I had to laugh when I saw one very dignified beach walker without his shirt. Thinking to myself "I've never seen Sam without a shirt, it's not that hot... " then I realized he was carrying his shirt and it was stuffed with shells.

So here is a sampling and the only way I can share. The only problem is that I'm running out of space for beach treasures on kitchen windowsill, on coffee tables, etc. I think I'll manage somehow as my treasure trove grows.

Can you imagine a lava rock!?
Love the sea urchins, sand dollars, the rare long and shiny olive shell and the spiral sea auger.

Soft and supple sea flowers attached to a muscle shell. Lovely and tiny but I don't know their proper name.

The sharks eye shell is perfectly named and in all my years, this is only my second one.

Wonder what treasures I'll find tomorrow?

Irene screamers

2011-08-26T08:44:00.003-04:00

Imagine you lived in the 12th century without the technology and the loud whining voices of meteorologists that we have today. If you were on the beach you'd know that something big was afoot. Yesterday the air was charged with a rare and unusual power. Surf was up, the wind was up a bit and birds were flying with what I'd call purpose. A large osprey was fishing with her three young in the churning surf. Pelicans and sea gulls were flying in haphazard array. It was exhilarating.

Later in the day the sky turned a pinkish yellow.

We got a bit of rain overnight and some light breezes. Then this morning (August 26) a couple more on-and-off showers and some spectacular surf. It started raining again just as I took the picture below so that's all I've got. More later.

So, thanks for the excitement, Irene. And thanks for staying out to sea off Florida. I'm sorry for the rest of the east coast but hope they can enjoy the phenomenon without the fear and worry and too much destruction. (Think 12th century.)

Thanks for the laughs, news people. I loved the guy standing at the edge of the surf as high tide approached. He seemed amazed that the water was getting higher on the beach. Well, THAT'S what high tide means. His feet got wet as the 6 a.m. high tide hit its mark. Made MY day.

Green Turtle Day! Hurrah

2011-08-24T10:54:00.005-04:00

In anticipation of some increased surf and maybe some storms at sea I headed to the beach to find some towering clouds, and an early (or late) fishing boat.

What I also got was a wonderful surprise — the best of all — a green turtle returning to sea after laying her nest. The video is 7+ minutes and I don't expect any of you to be as thrilled as I was but she was lovely to see. Our August nest counts have been a little slow so watching this gal (a rare green turtle at that) just made my day!

Free handouts anyone?

2011-08-22T18:55:00.004-04:00

Well, I've been really lax this month about posting new photos. Doesn't mean things haven't been fulfilling or even exciting on the beach. Just means I've been a bit lazy.

Lazy like this cute little egret, waiting around for a free handout instead of finding his own breakfast.

Later I'll update you about the foxes on the beach—cute but raiding turtle nest eggs—and about the total decline in new turtle nests in August. Old wives tales-turtle nests-hurricane connection notwithstanding it's a strange happening. So there's your tease, more later.

August dawns

2011-08-01T13:21:00.004-04:00

It was a beautiful start to the month of August — always my favorite month of the year for many reasons and it has been for as long as I can remember. Happily some things never change.

This first day of August was warm but a nice breeze made it ultimately comfortable. While enjoying the sun's ascent I was questioning why "they" use wind-chill only in the winter when the wind was so very pleasant on this summer morning. Likewise why don't we have a warming index in the winter when the humidity is up? You know it's 40º but since the humidity is high it feels like 45º. What am I missing in this?

Definitely not missing the sun starting to hide behind that cloud. Not missing the towering pink, blue and white of other clouds.

Happy August! Have a wonderful month!

July roundup

2011-07-31T07:49:00.005-04:00

Hard to believe the month of July has come and gone so quickly. It has been filled with sunrises, turtle nests and hatchlings, plus birds and all kinds of beach critters either alive or made of sand. You know, same-old great starts to the day. I hope not to let it get too routine.

This morning I started out early and was greeted by stunning contrasts of dark and light with some magenta thrown in for good measure.

Looking west, I was delighted to see a bright pink cloud... say what? With the trees in shadow, this photo could almost have been taken in the mountains.

Then finally the sun making its full mark on the sea, the sky and me. Adios July, thanks for the fun and sun.

Cloud figures

2011-07-23T21:08:00.005-04:00

There was such an interesting and diverse array of sunrise views this morning I'm just going to share an assortment with you. Use your imagination and decide for yourself what some of these cloud figures invoke. I had fun viewing the ever-morphing shapes!

I see a whale tail, two energizer bunnies, a big boomerang, and... well, what do you see? From near dark to full-blown day this morning was a delight in many ways.

Great ball o' fire

2011-07-19T09:53:00.003-04:00

The sunrise from its humble pink beginnings to this outstanding great ball of fire was a great way to start the day.

A wonderful, refreshing and inexpensive attitude adjuster as well. Thank you Sun!

Hodgepodge

2011-07-17T16:45:00.004-04:00

Oops, I haven't been here in a while then went for a couple of days where I couldn't sign in to this google account, for whatever unknown reason, so I have a variety of photos to share. I've also been busy, and heading to the beach at near dark leaves little opportunity for picture taking.

The full moon in the morning's dark was quite a sight though.

The next day I managed to get another shot of the moon, barely visible in the western sky surrounded by clouds and blue.

The sunrise this morning was lovely with a tropical low just off shore bringing great cloud formations. One beach friend said I'd missed the vibrant colors by just a minute or two. Drat. I was impressed nonetheless.

So there you go, many images crowded into a hodgepodge of beachside sights. Including this pile of marshmallows with blue sky above and glowing sun below.

Turtle thrill

2011-07-11T09:23:00.007-04:00

I went to the beach really early this morning (5:45 a.m.) and about 15 minutes into my walk noticed one set of turtle tracks. Quite a large rare* green turtle at that. But only one set of tracks... going in to shore, not another set coming back out. Huh? It was much too late for one to still be nesting, but sure enough there was a hole where she had started a nest, it was empty.

Sleuthfully I followed her tracks and there she was... throwing sand everywhere as she dug another nest. It was barely light and I didn't want to scare her so I didn't get too close and didn't use the flash on my camera with resulting bad pictures but wonderful memories for me nonetheless.

One of my usual beach buddies stopped and used my phone to call his wife whose sister works for the turtle patrol, hurrah. Help would be on the way. It was getting late (6:30 a.m.) the hot sun would be harmful to the nesting mom and people would begin to gather and terrify her. I took one photo from behind so she wouldn't see me and if you don't know what you are looking for you may have trouble making out this lovely large lady who covered herself with sand. She was probably 3.5 to 4 feet long and maybe 2.5 feet wide. A big girl for sure. A big thrill for ME.

Alas, I had to leave because of other commitments and left with a heavy heart because I'd have loved to see a successful conclusion to this little drama. As I set out towards home I saw the turtle patrol truck headed that way. She'll be safe now. Good.

* I just went to check how many green turtles we've had this year. Of the 260+ nests, this is only the second green turtle of this season. Just as I expected, this gal is really quite special.

Final Shuttle launch

2011-07-08T21:40:00.004-04:00

It was a sad end to a era when the Shuttle Atlantis roared into space today and roar it did!

Due to heavy cloud cover we were unable to get a visual of the launch here, 80 miles north of Cape Canaveral. In fact mission managers even went for the "go" when weather parameters should have said it was a no-go situation.

One thrilling and unusual effect of the heavy cloud cover was that the percussive roar of the takeoff was somehow kept close to the ground and for the first time in all the launches I've witnessed from here not only did we hear it... but the unmistakable sound was much louder than usual and so powerful that the windows in my house shook and the garage door was banging as if we were having an earthquake and it continued for quite a long time. What a thrill.

Sadly no visual, but the physical effects of this launch make it one of the most memorable I've ever experienced.

Fishing buddies

2011-07-06T15:14:00.003-04:00

How can you not appreciate mother nature when you get to enjoy the likes of these two fishing buddies. Especially when one stands about shoulder high and lets you get so close without taking off. Amazing. Thanks for the smile, guys.

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T10:46:00.003-04:00

Independence, freedom, liberty... all a part of this great nation. I'm so thankful that I have the independence, freedom and liberty to enjoy it. Part of my world is the beach, as you know, and here are a couple of July 4th beach treasures.

"Here's looking at you." Jellyfish are everywhere. Like stepping on a banana peel and if you aren't careful, you'll end up with your feel out from under you. Most are clear, this one reminded me of a giant eye. About the size of a baking potato.
Here, another turtle's nest... 253 so far this year! Hurrah. This zigzagging pattern back to sea looks like it had a little too much to drink, but we know she spent a long time laying eggs so a stagger back to sea is okay by me.
Happy Independence Day! Happy freedom and liberty. I wish everyone realized just how lucky we are to live in such a great country, warts and all it's better than anywhere else on earth.

Ever changing

2011-06-27T14:58:00.006-04:00

From start to finish the sunrise this morning was stunning and ever changing. I couldn't decide which photo to share with you, so here are several from the almost dark beginnings, to the sun just peeking over the horizon, to a cloudy but splendid finish. The time span was about a hour. Enjoy! I certainly did.

Hard to see, but pelicans were skimming the ocean's surface in the last photo, making a perfect punctuation to a perfect dawn.

Hot, Hot, Hot

2011-06-24T11:34:00.004-04:00

Not a breath of air, the sun was burning orange and hot and it was gorgeous. I particularly liked the distant shadow of clouds at the horizon and the silhouette of a boat headed up to coast. Gonna be a great day, even if it's hot.

Scram!

2011-06-21T17:35:00.003-04:00

I thought I had my video running on these two egrets fighting over their domain at this particular fishing hole. Not so, only this still photo... but what a great photo it is. Since it was a hazy dawn and the colors were practically washed out, I decided to try a sepia tone.

I'm very pleased with the results. Too bad the egret on the right wasn't pleased with the interloper.

Pelican Plunge

2011-06-19T18:23:00.002-04:00

While on my walk I noticed lots of pelicans all headed up the coast, one flock after the other flying with purpose. Then I saw them... there must of been a school of bait fish because pelicans were coming from all directions to feed. I'm surprised there weren't any mid-air collisions but the diving antics had me watching with mouth agape.

Just had to share!

Old Song...

2011-06-16T11:07:00.004-04:00

Remember the song What a Difference a Day Makes?

In case you don't have it running through your brain like I do, here's the wonderful Dinah Washington version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBxVfQTuvI

But that's not the point here.

What caused this tape loop in my head was the difference between yesterday (June 15) where it was HOT, HOT, HOT, humid and the air was full of smoke from nearby forest fires. Not even the smallest gasp of wind was stirring. You can see it in the haze around the sun and maybe even get the feeling of the heaviness of the air from the photo above. The ocean was flat and almost waveless, as if the air was so oppressive it could hardly move.

But just wait a day...

The very next day (June 16) a weather front was sitting just off the coast. Strong winds were from the northeast, thunderstorms were moving onshore and I was struck by how much it felt like fall. The ocean responded in kind and it was just plain thrilling. Oh yes, what a difference a day makes!

An exhilarating 24 little hours.

Gnome-man Sand

2011-06-12T13:26:00.004-04:00

The older I get the cornier I get, thus the title of this post. But with this wonderful sand carving of a gnome how could I resist. Behind him is a sand turtle with a turtle close up below. Someone worked hard to achieve these sand masterpieces. For that I want to say "thank you!"

Thanks neighbor

2011-06-08T09:28:00.003-04:00

Well, I overslept this morning. Fortunately my neighbor didn't and took several stunning sunrise photos. This was one of my favorites and is good incentive for me to get moving a little faster tomorrow morning... or maybe not.

Smoke and #39

2011-06-06T12:32:00.004-04:00

We've had some forest fires inland and with a southwest wind this morning the smoke has traveled this way. It isn't pleasant to smell but it wasn't strong enough to make breathing difficult, it did however, provide an interesting effect on the sunrise.

I also got to experience the evidence of Turtle Nest #39 before the Turtle Patrol got there. Unfortunately I missed seeing the turtle by several yards — evidenced by the end of her tracks before the outgoing tide. Maybe another day.

Sun & rain

2011-05-31T21:34:00.003-04:00

Intriguing juxtaposition of rain out at sea and the first glimpse of the rising sun on the horizon. Maybe a life lesson, the rain will fall but the sun will eventually shine again. Just strange that you'd get sun and rain so close together and yet each clearly defined.

Whatever... I was impressed. (Clouds were pretty spectacular too.)

Couldn't decide which shot I liked best (though they aren't all that different) so you get both.

Life lesson from a heron

2011-05-28T20:35:00.004-04:00

As I was quickly power walking up the beach I got a lesson in how to take things easy, how savor each moment, to walk slowly and enjoy passing paddle boarders and pelicans in the background. How a little head shake and a few ruffled feathers make life complete. Only thing I can't do is make my knees bend backward like this young heron can.

The next day...

2011-05-24T08:54:00.002-04:00

The day after the fog... what a greeting! The air was comfortable and dry and I had a big ol' grin on my face.

Foggy!

2011-05-21T17:19:00.003-04:00

Nothing wrong with this photo... it was just one of the foggiest days in recent memory. Nothing to compare to the fog I used to experience on Maine's coast but it didn't take long before my hair was dripping and my clothes were clammy.

Guess you'd have to say I was walking around in a fog! (Har!)

Sweet video, just to warm your heart

2011-05-20T15:33:00.001-04:00

One more to go...

2011-05-17T17:58:00.004-04:00

I wasn't the only one who made it to the beach to watch the launch of Shuttle Endeavour. The section of beach near the hotels and condos was wall to wall people and I'm not a bit surprised as the Shuttle program nears its close.

The launch was again goosebump producing. What I can't share with you is the sound. About 5 to 6 minutes after Endeavour was out of sight the deep thunderous rumble of liftoff rolled our way. With the reverberations came the goosebumps again.

Oh how I'm going to miss this wonderful part of my life... but not nearly as much as the 6,000 workers who will lose their jobs when the shuttle program comes to an end later this summer. Sad.

Call Me Dolittle

2011-05-13T13:34:00.007-04:00

Well, the title of Call Me Dolittle may be a bit misleading. I, sometimes, do a lot. I'm referring to Dr. Dolittle who attracted animals.

Here's my latest two-day saga. Sitting quietly at my computer looking out my front window I saw a rather large creature walking across my front lawn. My first fleeting thought was great dane. An instant later I realized it was a deer.

This is a highly residential area, it is a barrier island and there are no woods or large natural areas to support a deer. I ran outside to be sure I wasn't seeing things and my neighbor came out and asked me if I'd seen the deer. Phew... I wasn't losing my mind, my neighbor saw it too. It disappeared into my backyard and from there who knows. My neighbor drove around looking to be sure it hadn't met an ugly demise on the roads but she never saw it again. Strange, very strange, and no photo because I was too shocked to grab my camera.

The very next day upon arrival at the beach... there was the first turtle nest of the 2011 season. Woo hoo! The cycle continues with turtle tracks telling the tale.

About a mile up the beach on first-turtle day there was quite a sight! A gill net (illegal in FL) had come ashore loaded with grouper, pompano, crabs and what I think is a little Mako shark. Don't know my sharks well but that's a guess. He was maybe 4 to 5 feel long. With an unusual and actually pretty green eye.

Farther still up the beach were two tourist ladies trying to get a washed-up jelly fish back to the water without touching it. Sheesh. I said that if it was on the beach it was probably dead or dying and to let it be bird food. They insisted it was moving and that they could save it. This Dr. Dolittle gave them credit for trying and I didn't even laugh (out loud, that is.)

When I got home, there were three neighborhood cats sitting on my front porch all asking for breakfast. Enough already!

Pot o' Silver

2011-05-10T17:45:00.006-04:00

So often sunrises are full of vibrant color, not on this day. I thought this Pot o' Silver was just stunning even if not especially colorful.

Strange that I saw a TV interview the other day with someone who had written a book on looking for the little pleasures in life that make you happy. Humpf. That's why I started this blog, to share the little things that make me happy and to hopefully help you look for the things that make your day as well.

Guess I'll only find a pot of silver in the sun shining on the ocean instead of being clever enough to put it in a book and earn an actual pot of silver. But then again, I don't have to go on a book tour, deal with TV interviews, etc. I get to stay right here and enjoy the beach. Yep, that's better for me, for sure.

Osprey

2011-05-06T18:03:00.003-04:00

I get such a thrill when I see an osprey perusing the ocean for food and even more of a thrill when I see a head-first dive into the surf sometimes with success, sometimes only to return from the water with empty talons.

What is amazing to me is the way the osprey shakes and shimmies to shake the water from their feathers all the while managing to hold on to their catch. The video below unfortunately is of very bad quality. You have to look closely to even see the bird and I turned the audio volume way down because the wind was so loud it was just plain annoying.

You may not be able to enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed seeing the osprey hunt, but maybe you can take pleasure in my joy at being able to witness such a sight.

Bad video, great moment

2011-05-06T18:01:00.001-04:00

As promised... gardenias

2011-05-03T17:57:00.003-04:00

With advancing technology, I'm sure that someday I'll be able to let you get a whiff of these wonderful gardenias. Until then you'll have to settle for photos.

The bush is so loaded that many of these pretty blooms are dragging on the ground. No worries, with all I've picked so far it is nice to see these buds as evidence of more blooms to come.

Can't last long enough to suit me.

Oleander Ka-bloom

2011-04-30T15:39:00.004-04:00

For some reason unbeknownst to me, the flowering plants in my yard have exploded with bloom this year. Both of my Ligustrums (better known as a privet hedge — and to be honest I like the name better) were weighted down with blooms and the scent from the one over my patio was so heavy that it sent me inside one day.

My poor old pink oleander has just been giving me minimal blooms since I planted it about 12 years ago. Lovely but nothing to write home about, until this year. It is so weighted down with blooms that its branches are practically dragging on the ground. Normally it is taller than my house (when I planted it 'twas barely knee high) but now the bloom-laden hanging limbs are about knee high.

I'm sharing some photos of the oleander's pink loveliness here.

But wait till you see my gardenias! Better yet, you should smell them. Yum-m-m-m-m! They also are dragging the ground. I have picked blooms, given away blooms, have my house filled with bowls of floating gardenia blooms and still they come.

Ah, I just love the sights and scents spring!

Sad and grateful

2011-04-26T17:37:00.006-04:00

I started this blog over three years ago at a time when I was very sad and was having trouble finding things to be grateful for. It took a lot of effort to find little joys in life but I did and it helped, a lot.

Oh, but life occasionally throws you a curve ball to see if you've learned your lessons. That happened to me today. I'm sad, very sad, but yes, grateful.

I'm grateful that several months ago I was directed to an Internet WebCam of a Bald Eagle's nest — I mentioned it earlier on this blog. The eagle pair's three eggs were laid, hatched and I've been an avid daily viewer. The eaglets have grown tremendously but are still needing care from their parents.

Unfortunately, the female eagle was struck and killed by an airplane today. To say I am totally crushed is an understatement. I made these eagles (mother, father and three chicks) an integral part of my life. It's almost like losing a beloved pet.

While I am heartbroken, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to watch the nest with this feathered family from the start.

To that end I'm sharing some screen shots I have taken of Mama Eagle along the way. She was lovely. She was a good mom and a good mate to her male for nine years. Imagine that!

During a rainstorm she was dubbed "Mombrella" and keeping the chicks dry certainly provided the epitome of a bad hair day.

You will be missed but I'm glad I got to share the nest with you Mama Eagle, you've taught me to be open and caring about nature and all that is good about the world.

Easter Sunrise

2011-04-24T23:30:00.003-04:00

Remembering Easter sunrise services in Old Salem, NC was part of my morning musings today. I was greeted not only by the sun but with snippets of hymns drifting my way from early morning Easter services on the beach.

God's in his heaven; all's right with the world.

Untitled

2011-04-21T14:20:00.003-04:00

Well, I couldn't think of anything clever as a title for this shot. Chair, was a thought. Anticipation another consideration... other than that I'm stymied.

The lifeguard chairs have just recently taken up their summertime position on my area of the beach. This was a lovely view with the sun just coming up and it wasn't until I got home that I realized that a gull also decided to grace this shot.

Anticipation opens many mental doors. Anticipating summer vacations — the lifeguards doing their jobs with teenage girls getting giggly and hanging around. Anticipation of turtle season. Sand castles, sun burns, fun with friends, summer songs you'll never forget... all these images and more evoked by the placing of the lifeguard chairs. Amazing isn't it?

New corner of the world

2011-04-18T18:35:00.005-04:00

I've always found peace and renewal on the beach and NOW on my new patio as well. Joy!

After years of living with only the dream of a patio in my backyard I finally treated myself and even on some sunny winter days I enjoyed the serenity of my new corner of the world. Now that spring is here I have found this new space gives me a great excuse to just sit and stare at the trees, the clouds, the birds and the flowers. I get to nod off over a book and nurture a plant or two. Ah! Life is good!

First dawn

2011-04-12T14:50:00.003-04:00

Here it is April and this is the first time I've been to the beach at dawn since last fall when our early morning weather turned cold. Temperatures today are forecast to be 90º which means too uncomfortable for a mid-day walk.

No matter the reason, being at the beach to greet the day was a real treat.

Hitting the waves

2011-04-08T14:57:00.004-04:00

Perfect day to hit the waves. Crisp blue skies, warmer ocean temps (but still only in the mid-60s) and some good breakers that make it just plain exciting.

Glad these young people were having fun. Glad I only have to enjoy it vicariously. But enjoy it I did.

After school treat

2011-04-04T18:11:00.003-04:00

This lovely April 4th afternoon I went to the beach much later than usual. Surprised by all the cars, I wondered where so many people were coming from. Spring break was over, major tourist events for the area had moved on and it was a weekday. Huh?

Then I realized these were mostly high schoolers, class was over for the day and they were going to the beach. Wow! Now how lucky is that?

My high school was in Washington D.C. — no beach there. Hopefully someday when the rigors of adulthood hit them, these young people will look back fondly on the times they were lucky enough to go to the beach after school.

The Atlantic Pond

2011-03-27T14:00:00.004-04:00

The mighty Atlantic Ocean was about as ferocious as a pond today. Our normally prevailing easterly winds push the water to shore creating the waves we are so used to seeing. Westerly winds have just the opposite effect and on this day the winds were strongly from the west keeping the waves to a bare minimum. Ho-hum, more pond than ocean.

Surfers were sorely disappointed and if anyone was making their very first trip to the ocean they would have wondered what all the fuss was about the powerful ocean.

It was kind of a nice, calming change but if I had my druthers... I'd happily take a little more ocean action.

The gulls didn't seem to mind it though... easier fishing.

Yoga pose

2011-03-21T15:59:00.003-04:00

I started taking a yoga class and after many, many years away from the practice I discovered that I am still pretty flexible, or as one young girl in the class called it — bendy. What I am NOT is well-balanced. Yep, my balance is way off kilter.

It amused me when the very next day I saw this group of sandpipers on the beach all standing on only one leg. Perfect balance. How do they do that? Their legs aren't nearly as sturdy as mine, little twigs actually, and their little round bodies would appear to severely offset their centers of gravity. Humpf. Wish I had the balance of a sandpiper. I'll have to work on that.

Here & There

2011-03-17T15:41:00.005-04:00

Today the beach was just packed with spring breakers and little wonder! Not a cloud in the sky, perfect temperature for roasting in the sun without getting too hot and kids everywhere were laughing, screaming and just plain having fun.
I walked down to the part of the beach with hotels, condos and on-beach parking. There were people in the water, enjoying a game of catch or just strolling at water's edge.
Even the hot dogs smelled good, and the ice cream didn't melt before you could eat it. The people watching was fabulous. Big and small, young and old there wasn't a cranky person in sight.
I also enjoyed coming back to my quiet part of the beach with no beach driving and only private homes. Didn't take much to remind me how lucky I am, either way. Loved it!

Beach perfection and eagles too

2011-03-14T17:06:00.006-04:00

The weather is perfect... not too hot, not too cold and a gentle breeze from the east thrown in for good measure all added up to a flawless day at the beach. It is spring break for our local schools and also enjoying the sunshine were lots of young folk playing volleyball, surfing, tossing a ball or just toasting themselves and enjoying freedom with their friends. I happily reveled in every minute of it.

Another thing I am enjoying is the Eagle Cam at Norfolk (VA) Botanical Gardens. For those of you haven't found it yet I highly recommend this webcam. Here's a screen shot I took today after Dad brought a fish and Mom started feeding the eaglet:

Two bald eagles have built a nest where the female laid 3 eggs back in February. The first egg hatched on March 13 and I have been mesmerized watching the loving care these great creatures are providing for their little bobble-headed eaglet as well as the two eggs expected to hatch any day now. For viewing pleasure and an eagle education, check it out:

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html

Enjoy!

Dawn fishing trip

2011-03-13T08:19:00.004-04:00

With promises of times to come, i.e. shorts and t-shirts at dawn, I pulled this photo from my archives.

What I liked was the reflection of the sunrise in the wet sand and a fisherman's pleasure at casting a line into the surf. In the meantime I've been just plain lazy and haven't been to the beach in 3 days. Today's the day though, sand in my shoes for sure.

Looking skyward

2011-03-08T09:15:00.006-05:00

There was not one drop of rain but the clouds, which looked formidable at first, proved to be fascinating to the utmost. My gaze was skyward every step of my walk. I took many many photos but will share only a few with you here. This first, looking east, is what I saw when arriving at the beach. Ominous.

Looking south (below) there was a hint of blue mixed into the black, gray and white. The sheer size and weight of these behemoths was intriguing.

Looking north the heaviness seemed to be dissipating and the movement of these clouds caught my attention. Still not one drop of rain.

Finally, looking overhead I caught a donut hole of blue. It wan't too much longer before the hole opened up and we had mostly blue skies for the rest of the afternoon.

Florida weather... go figure. At least temperatures were in the 70s and I enjoyed some extraordinary clouds.

Remembering Maine

2011-03-06T07:24:00.005-05:00

Throughout my teens and early 20s my family and I spent our summers living on the coast of Maine. Today along the coast of Florida I was transported back 45+ years to that idyllic time of my life. I don't know if it was the sailboat enjoying a day on the sea that triggered the memories because of all the time I spent sailing, or if it was the low humidity and bright skies, or the coolness of the wind picking up the cold ocean temperature.

I know Thomas Wolfe was correct in saying that you can't go home again, and I'll try not to be sad for losing what once was. Instead, today I certainly enjoyed many, many memories of special friends, special times and special events along the beautiful and rugged Maine coast. What a remarkable time that was in my life. How lucky I was to be a part of it all.

35-year blooms

2011-03-03T17:23:00.004-05:00

Two of my prized possessions are my jade plants. I've had them for more than 35 years and they were single cuttings from my godparent's plant which was probably 50 years old at the time. These lovely plants occupy an important part of my heart and have really grown and thrived since I moved to Florida.

They both used to live on my front porch but during a freeze this winter I moved the larger of the two inside to my Florida room where it remains. Both are over three feet high and between four and five feet wide. (I had to remove a chair to put one in the Florida room.)

So, imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when my front porch jade began to display some tiny little flowers. Thirty five years I've loved this plant even without a bloom, this year this profusion of joyful little flowers has me just so pleased I can hardly stand it and I proudly show it off to all who will pause to look.

Of course, I just have to share my proud new-parent feeling with you. Um-m-m-m-m, wonder if I'll have to wait another 35 years to have more?

Sandy society

2011-02-28T18:28:00.007-05:00

Yesterday I took my beach walk about five miles north of here. Different and interesting but for some reason the unfamiliar didn't satisfy. Today I was back to my regular patch beach and felt better being in the comfort of the familiar. I realized too that I have a little social network of people I connect with daily.

This familiar sight with my fisherman friend, whose name is the same as my Dad's, was refreshing in the anticipation of conversation about his latest catch, tides, winds, etc. Later I ran into another beach pal who had just gotten an e-reader at my suggestion and was happy with the little device.

So besides fresh air, beach wildlife, tides, sand and wind, for me there is also the comfort of a little human society. Interesting, who'd a thunk it.

Laughter is good medicine

2011-02-26T18:16:00.007-05:00

It was cloudy at the beach today but there were cheerful laughing gulls everywhere. These gray and white gulls with black heads certainly know how to throw their heads back and laugh. Didn't take a genius to name them laughing gulls.

Hope you get a chuckle out of the video clip I put together, if not from the raucous sounds at least from the antics of these silly gulls.

If the video below doesn't work for you here's the link to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGPvCNSatM

Good for a laugh!

2011-02-26T18:16:00.001-05:00

Final Discovery

2011-02-24T20:01:00.009-05:00

Having lived in Florida for the past 13 years (today actually being the anniversary of my move here) I've been privileged to witness our space shuttle launches. Each one has given me chills and produced a lump in my throat if not a certain amount of moisture in my eyes.

Today was special because as the shuttle program is being phased out, this is the last launch of the shuttle Discovery. Discovery's first launch was in August 1984 since then it has made 39 successful missions. One of those missions was to carry the Hubble Telescope into space (and to take astronauts to the telescope for the two subsequent repair missions.)

Unfortunately there were clouds partially obscuring the view today but it didn't diminish the welling feelings in my chest for this spectacular demonstration of man's achievements. Clouds also did not diminish the thunder of the launch which rolled our way after Discovery was long out of sight. It is about 85 miles to Cape Canaveral so hearing the thunder of a launch, even delayed, is amazing. What a privilege indeed to be here!

Perfect, then some...

2011-02-22T18:05:00.003-05:00

The wide open sky, expansive sand and rolling blue sea all combined for a perfect beach day. The temperature was in the upper 70s, a light breeze kept it comfortable and it was a perfect spring day.

I loved every single minute of it and as if I needed reminding... I had a big ol' grin on my face knowing how lucky I am to be right here.

Big bird

2011-02-20T22:26:00.006-05:00

The weather for the past few days have been just lovely. My beach walks have been physically and mentally rejuvenating especially with the congregating shore birds providing a lot of visual interest. This flock of mixed gulls and terns was invaded by a big ol' pelican. He seemed so big and gangly and out of place.

It could just be me trying to make a human-like connection that doesn't exit, but the smaller birds seemed to think this big bird was odd man out... er, odd bird out. Finally he lumbered away, his slow take off making him look like some caped wonder out of a horror story. What a beautiful day and one just ripe for my weird imagination to run amuck.

Head in the clouds

2011-02-17T17:36:00.003-05:00

Not just head in the clouds, it was so foggy my whole body, head to toe, was in the clouds today at the beach. It was actually sort of interesting and since visibility was limited I found I was much more attuned to sounds and smells. It was an unusual experience and made for some very limited picture taking... unless you like shades of gray.

On the other hand, today I found a webcam of a wild Bald Eagle's nest located in Norfolk, Virginia's Botanical Gardens. There are three eggs in the nest and I've been enthralled watching the parents share egg sitting duties which includes turning the eggs and giving each other time off to stretch their wings. You may enjoy it too. Check it out:

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html

Happy Heart Day

2011-02-14T15:08:00.007-05:00

No flowers, no candy, no love poems but this Valentine's Day just made my heart sing. It was one of the most beautiful days weather-wise that we've had in several weeks. There was not a cloud in the sky, it was pushing 70º and as the poet Robert Browning once said... "All's right with the world."

It got even better when I got to the beach and saw my favorite little birds, the black skimmers. (See my posts Birding Beach Style from Jan. 2011 or Celebrity Skimmers from June 2009.) These guys are very rare and I usually only see one or two at a time and then once or twice a year.

Today, however, in one large group of gulls and terns I counted 30 skimmers. I was astounded! I don't have a picture of that large group due to camera operator error. Oops. But I did manage to catch another group of seventeen of these amazing little guys, see above. Of course, they turned their backs to me so you couldn't see the lovely red banding around their bills. And I didn't manage to get a good video of their low-to-the water flight pattern which allows them to skim the waves for their meals.

(The above is not my photo but a good shot of the skimmer's

striking color and intriguing eating habit.)

What I got today was a thrill better than any long-stemmed red roses could ever deliver. Happy Valentine's Day to me.

Coral sands

2011-02-11T19:59:00.003-05:00

See what I mean about cloudy and gray. The whole scene this morning was basically colorless except for that bright strip of coral sand that is so prevalent here.

It was actually exhilarating watching the stormy seas and just another interesting aspect of life by the sea.

Paintbox colors

2011-02-10T11:57:00.004-05:00

Rain, clouds and cold again today so here's one more photo from the archives. This one was just spectacular with its fiery colors. Do you think that if I wish for a stunning sunrise hard enough it will happen?

I'm positive it will but not in the next day or two so I'm treating myself, and you, to this glorious piece of history from September 2008.

Wishful thinking

2011-02-07T13:30:00.003-05:00

The past several days have been gray, cloudy, cold and without one peek at the sun. Not good subject matter for the camera so I decided to dig into the archives and see what I could find.

Here is a warm sunny day, birds and people alike enjoying the beach. I enjoyed going back through my photos and this one warmed me up immediately.

So, if warm and sunny isn't possible one can at least pretend, and with a dash of wishful thinking thrown in for good measure, it should help make you feel toasty. It worked for me!

More than the ocean

2011-02-04T10:41:00.005-05:00

Fortunately, I believe I live in one of the loveliest places on earth. I've been to many wonderful places around the globe but home is definitely where my heart is. I have the ocean on one side and the river and a lovely river basin on the other.

Here then are a couple of photos of the peace and tranquility found in our river basin even on a cloudy day.

These almost look like landscape paintings. The only thing missing are the occasional fish breaking the surface, scurrying crabs, various wildlife and of course birds of all kinds.

When the tide is too high or the winds too brisk for an enjoyable beach walk, this peaceful respite is definitely the place for me.

Just had to laugh

2011-02-01T15:45:00.004-05:00

My ability as a videographer is definitely lacking, however the antics of the gull below just had me mesmerized.

I've never seen this behavior before and the dancing prowess of this little gull was amazing. Watch his feet carefully. Hopefully you'll find a grin, just as I did.

If for some reason you can't view the Riverdancing gull try this link to YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHTOQ_IYNoU