August already?

Where does time go? It's August already and one of my favorite months of the year. Favorite because nine of my friends have birthdays in August (that includes me.) 
My parents met in August, got married the next year in August... and had ME the following year — in August. Phew. Lots of parties when I was younger but not so many now that we are flung to the wide corners of the country. It's a wonderful month and these early-morning photos are proof.

The first was taken on the first. The other one taken just this morning, August 6th. I thought it was stunning and the pelicans skimming the ocean's surface added a little interest. (Click on the photo to enlarge and get a glimpse of the pelicans, headed north, skimming the surface of the ocean.)

Enjoy! And Happy Birthday all you August babies.

Monsters...

There have been many mornings lately with cloud monsters which I found just plain intriguing so I'll share them with you here.

How about the one below... a Stonehenge look-alike? You decide.

There have also been many sand monsters as compelling as any I've ever seen. Of course you can see them here but unfortunately nothing quite matches the reality. The gator had a sweet look on his smiling face... the better to eat you with, my dear. 

This gruesome guy is growing right out of the sand. 'Tis a bit scary if you have a vivid imagination... I do.

 

Here's looking at you, kid.

I do hope that you enjoyed all... I certainly did.

Lucky day!

Contrary to popular beliefs, Friday the 13th has always been a lucky day for me. This Friday the 13th was no exception. I was lucky enough to be greeted by a stunning peek at the oncoming sunrise. 

It was also a lucky day for my friend the heron who had just nabbed a fresh fish for breakfast. Too bad the light was still a bit murky but as much as I enjoyed seeing my friend and his fish I was also delighted at the splash of the wave in the background.

Oh yes, 'twas a lucky day indeed!

July 4th Juxtaposition

First of all I need to thank our founding fathers for creating a country where we can be free to enjoy all that life has to offer. Then I have to thank my lucky stars for providing the images that greeted me this morning at the beach.

To the east, the rising sun looked like a candle flame flaring out of the top of that strange columnar cloud.  

To the west the full moon was still adorning the sky before it slowly crept below the western horizon. 

I didn't know whether to look east or west, either view was a stunning reminder of the greatness we are surrounded by if we only take the time to look and to appreciate every little nuance. Happy and joyful Independence Day!

Beach greeting

What a perfect start to the day. It looked to me just like a picture postcard. 

The only thing you can't see is the elusive dolphin that was feeding on bait fish very close to shore. He followed me up the beach for about a half a mile. Made my day!

Strike a pose

It was a very hazy morning and the colors were all muted pastel shades. My usual great heron was fishing and posed beautifully before the rosy rising sun.

I believe one line in that Madonna song Vogue with the strike a pose lyric... is "Beauty's where you find it."  

Well, I think I found it right here. Don't you?

Rosy dawn

There was a lovely rosy shade to the dawn this morning. Even after the sun snuck behind that little band of clouds, the hue was the perfect pink that you'd find if looking through rose-colored glasses. 

However, if you were a little stingray chasing a fish and got two fishing lines tangled up like this little fellow did, I'm sure the early morning wasn't so rosy until the kind fisherman freed you and sent you on your way.