Early to rise...

Lately I've been getting to the beach early and have been treated to a wonderful array of clouds and sun. I decided to share a few photos with you to brighten your day like the real images brightened mine.

A cloud hydra was looming. Menacing looking but no rain, thankfully. 

Pinks, blues and various shades of gray with a smattering of seaweed added for visual interest.

Almost brought my umbrella but decided against it. Do you think there was rain in those clouds? There was. Drat! 

I just loved the 3-dimensional layers of these clouds with an occasional jet contrail in the clear blue of bring it all back to reality.

My favorite great heron (near his gazebo - see earlier post) waiting for the sun to escape those big heavy clouds. 

What could be more striking than a shrimp boat highlighted by a rising sun? Maybe something, but at this particular moment in time, you can't beat this stunning image.

Life is just grand, no matter how you look at it.

Real & Imaginary

I was greeted by two new turtle's nests on the beach this morning. One was made by a loggerhead — though she was long gone by the time I arrived.

The other was made by an abundance of imagination and a lot of hard work. The sand turtle was still in evidence and her tracks leading away from her imaginary nest was simply a brilliant touch.

Both made my day, like a double-dip ice cream cone. Joy!

Great image, bad photo

It was simply breathtaking... As I arrived at the beach, I was greeted by a shrimp boat out to the sea, lights blazing. What was awe inspiring were the magenta hints of sun tucked into the clouds and just along the horizon the first bubbles of sunrise.
It almost looked as if the boat were pulling a fiery dragon's tail.
Alas, to capture the image I had to use the zoom lens and could not hold it still enough to get a sharp clear picture. Hopefully you will get the idea, even if you don't get a great photo.

With a good eye you can see the tiny reflection of the boat's light just at the edge of the surf. Amazing dawn.

Worth the effort

This morning it was threatening to be stormy, my bed was so comfortable and I was debating whether I should go to the beach for my daily walk. Good sense won out over comfort and off I went. It was certainly worth the effort. 

Not only was I treated to some gloriously stormy skies and the valiant efforts of the sun to break through, but many folks decided to stay away so it was basically deserted, wonderfully cool and breezy and I was so happy that I made the effort. It was certainly worth every minute of it. 

Heron weathervane

Along my stretch of the beach is a cute summer gazebo. Today it had a new adornment... a new weathervane. 

Yes, perched atop the gazebo was a great heron. Probably four feet tall, this big bird was taking in the sights until a couple of crows started heckling him. That was a cue to take off.  With legs dangling and a wing spread of probably six feet, it was a slow and awkward start but eventually turned graceful and masterful.

How delightful that Big Bird provided a pleasant beach diversion this morning.

Also, two more turtle nests today bringing the total to 28 in the northern part of the county. 
All the nests are way up in the dunes. Any old wife with a tale to tell says this behavior means we'll be having a weather occurrence along the shoreline within the next 60 days or so. I'm not an old wife so we'll just have to wait and see if these turtles know something the rest of us don't.

This one I call In the weeds with self-portrait. 

Thank you Mom

Thank you, Mom, for giving me a positive outlook on life and living.
Thank you for helping make me the woman I've turned out to be.

Thank you for all the little things and all the BIG things you did for me.

Thank you Mom for living by the beach in Florida so I'd be sure to end up here.

Here's this morning's sunrise... and my pleasure in enjoying it is the best gift to give back to you on this Mother's Day. Thank you!

Cantaloupe season

I've been expecting them, but on my trip to the farmer's market I finally met up with our wonderful Florida cantaloupe. Fresh off the vine and right out of the fields of south Florida this time of year, these heavenly bits of sunshine for the mouth are soooooooooo delicious. They taste nothing like what you find in colored cardboard in the grocery store. Heaven until the first of July when they are gone until next April.

I added some summer squash, including the darling and tasty little patty-pan squash, along with kale and parsley from my own garden and have a basket of delightful, colorful and tasty treats to share with you.

Along with the cantaloupe, there are fresh watermelons also in season this time of year. Alas, eating watermelon gives me hives so I must resist. But melon lovers... it's time! Hurrah.