Storms, Pink Clouds and Osprey

Offshore storms, towering pink clouds and a group of six osprey fishing in the surf. A friend and I watched for quite a while as it appeared that Mama Osprey had her hands full with teaching some young osprey how to dive and fish in the brisk winds and turbulent surf.

It doesn't get much better than that unless you add in the perfect temperature and a invigorating southerly wind. What a start to my day. For all this, I am truly grateful.

What a way to start a Monday

This morning's sunrise took my breath away. Best I can do is just share it with you.

Colors

Today's dawn was monochromatic with nothing but shades of gray. So I decided to do a brief rewind and share the colors of yesterday. Hallelujah.

Clouds, clouds, clouds

The atmosphere at the beach was heavy with clouds this morning and yet the air was wildly exhilarating enhanced by offshore rain showers and stimulating winds. There was a different view in every direction and the only way I can share it with you is through photos. 

I do wish you had been there to share it with me. To hear the ocean, to smell the salt air, and to feel the wind blowing in your hair and across your skin. I treasure every second of the experience and feel so fortunate to be able to relish every moment of it.

New sight at a new site

Rarely do I get to spend time on the beach 6 miles south of my normal stomping ground but on this particular morning I was near the Main Street Pier as dawn was breaking, and what a lovely dawning it was. New sight at an new site.

August endings

What happened to the month of August? It has disappeared, just slipped away without my permission. So here it is the last day of my favorite month of the year. (There are many reasons for it being my favorite month starting with childhood summer memories, birthdays for me and many many of my longtime friends, my parent's wedding anniversary, summer travels, etc...)

So in honor of August, here's a hodgepodge of final days photos. Starting with three of the seven shrimp boats lining the horizon this morning.

 Followed by the sun showing up with all her glory.

The birds enjoying breakfast on the beach,

 and finally an unusual plume of cloud that really struck my fancy.

Goodbye August, I'm sorry I let you slip by but I'll try to savor each and every day of you next year.

Turtle thrills

They are so tiny but grow up to be so huge. Palm sized to as much as 350 pounds and 6 feet long.

Today the Turtle Patrol found two baby loggerhead turtles still trying to get out of their nest. But that's not the whole story...

They also know that I walk a certain area of the beach every morning. So, because it was my birthday this week and as a member of the Turtle Patrol myself, they brought them to me as a special treat. There is definitely a unique thrill to helping these tiny creatures start their journey to the sea. 

This little guy was so cute as he lifted himself up on his front flippers and with nose in the air, caught a whiff of the ocean and headed on his long journey. Hopefully it's a female and she will return to this beach in 25 years to lay her eggs and keep the 25 million year old cycle going.