One day at a time with wings and heart open
It’s still breezy here in resilient Florida. The soft fluffy clouds started off grey, turning to blue and pink as the sun came up to greet the day. The moon was high in the sky getting hugged but he clouds floating along.
I turn to wildlife for guidance when life feels bumpy so I was very happy to see the flock of gulls fly in to enjoy the sunrise.
Florida has experienced an enormous amount of devastation in the past month so when I saw One Legger, a Laughing gull and a constant over the past few years, I asked her to give us a message for the day.
She said, “I know it can be easier to stop caring and close your heart and wings when life seems overwhelming. I’ve learned is to seek comfort from my flock, sure we squabble but we provide comfort and safety for each other. To survive and thrive I keep my wings and heart open to have a full experience. I put my focus on one day at a time, what do I need for today to make sure I am fed and safe.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Wings and hearts open
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Hurricane Prep Dolphin Style
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Hurricane Prep Dolphin Style
No visible sunrise today…looks like no sunrise until Saturday. I thought I’d share cuteness from lagoon.
Yesterday in between rain bands, gusty wind and a few white caps a maternity pod came in to the lagoon for snacks, nursing and loving.
Momma with a split dorsal fin and her calf were the first to arrive then came Momma and her calf River, and Momma Remi and her calf Roo. I haven’t seen Remi and Roo in a long time so it was nice to see them doing well.
They spent long periods of time nursing with just short jaunts to grab snacks with the young’s tagging along. I’m always amazed how the little nuggets can keep up with the mom or at least stay close. In between nursing and fishing they were sharing hugs and kisses.
After a couple hours of feeding the babies started to play, popping up in the rough water with pure joy. It made me think of how toddlers enjoy playing in a sprinkler, nothing but giggles and happiness.
Wishing you a day filled with giggles! Stay tuned for more tales!
Trust the journey
Weeeeeee! The wind is already whipping as we feel a hint of the storm approaching Florida. The pre sunrise brought us dark clouds with rain. A very small flock of gulls flew in to say a quick hello before jetting out into the ocean.
With the full moon and eclipse, the energy felt powerful and a bit overwhelming. Lunar eclipses bring us the opportunity to let go. With the moon involved you may find things are illuminated to you over the next few months.
Lunar eclipses are culminations of emotional cycles that have run their course, they encourage us to let go of emotions and attachments that are no longer serving us. Like the intense wind, it’s best to go with it and let the energy carry you froward.
The ominous vibe of dark clouds melted away when the sun came up bringing golden rays of heart expanding light. A flock a skimmers in tight formation flew by over the churning ocean. They said, “We are stronger together. We fly as one unit to navigate the wind and rain. Not only are we stronger, we have the comfort of each other. “
After the sunrise, Pip the pelican was waiting on his pole. He jumped in the water and we had a nice talk. I said, “I’m worried about you and the storm.” He said, “I want you to trust my journey. I’m strong and capable. Worry is like sending me a wet blanket, instead, I want you to see me thriving and safe. Remember storms are temporary, the calm will return.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
I see an angel in the white clouds
Pip the Pelican
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode-Show me your fish
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Show Me Your Fish!
A couple days ago, Spent time with the dolphin I call Danika. I’m not sure her gender so she may be Daniko. She got her name when she zipped by me at mach speed on top of the water. Since getting to know her, she really does enjoy being speedy!
It’s not uncommon for me to say, “Show me your fish.” Danika was already being playful, coming over and tossing mullet toward the camera so I asked her to show me her fish.
A couple minutes later she swam super close with a flounder and held it up for several seconds as she passed by with a little wake.
If you click through the photos you can see she is making sure I get the photos. Love that dolphin!
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS- The sunrise for Monday is the previous post.
She’s looking at me to make sure I got the photo.
Break free from a pigeon hold
With a tropical storm heading toward Florida the wind was starting to howl while the ocean churned. The flock of gulls didn’t come today, which is unusual for this time of year. They bring the message of listening to your instincts to know who action to take.
The pre sunrise was almost black and white with just the lighthouse in the distance flashing a hopeful light reminding us beacons of hope are all around. When the sun came up, rays of light jetted into the sky giving us warmth and adding to the hopeful vibe.
A pelican flying overhead slowed down to make eye contact saying, “When you feel uncertain, anchor yourself with connections who feed your soul. Allow yourself to open to those sweet moments showing up.”
I had a nice chat with Ozzie the pigeon after sunrise. When I asked him about the possible storm he said, “Pigeons work together to prepare for bad weather. Did you know we take in other birds during bad weather? Us pigeons bring the message of community and unity. We are a symbol of love and faith.”
He said, “On another note, if you feel stuck, in a ‘pigeon hold’ I’m here to encourage you to break free so you can soar even higher.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Know when to be alone and when to collaborate
Mother Nature brought us a balmy, hazy sunrise with the ocean churning and light breeze. Despite the time change, the gulls flew in just before sunrise like usual. We were enjoying bath time when not one but 2 reddish egrets came countering down the beach.
The larger reddish egret was chasing the smaller one. Well, the smaller one was not interested and was talking up a storm, saying, “No thank you! I’d like to be alone right now.”
In contrast, Pelican Highway was was showing off their teamwork, working like a well oiled machine flying in perfect alignment as they cruised southbound.
The reddish egrets and pelicans bring us the message of balance. They said, “Not to worry, you will know when to be independent and when to be part of a team. Trust your inner knowing, your inner guidance will direct you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Pelican Highway
Pelican Highway in perfect alignment
reddish egret
reddish egret telling the other egret to back off.
Not one but 2 reddish egrets
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Exciting Gender Reveal
Tales from the Lagoon~ Episode- Exciting Gender Reveal
The other day it was very overcast and windy. The lagoon was choppy from the weather but that didn't stop the dolphins from coming in for a love fest.
I counted 12 dolphins of all ages rolling around giving kisses and hugs. These photos are of the dolphin I call Charlie. (Different that Charlee and her calf Angel) He has a little bump on his dorsal fin that helps me identify him.
I thought he was a male and these photo show he is. Male dolphins have one long slit and a smaller slit just below that - forming an exclamation point on their belly. Females have a division sign- one long slit with 2 smaller ones on either side.
Charley is super sweet and loves to swim over on his side and look up at me, or toss a mangrove propagule my way. He seems to be friends with all the dolphins of all different ages. In the recent months, I have seen him the most hanging with the dolphin I call M. They seem to be besties.
If never gets old getting to know these beautiful beings.
Stay tuned for more tales!
He’s a boy!
Animal Inspired Rainbows
Good Morning! I’m away from the sunrise for a photoshoot. I felt inspired but the week of rainbows so thought I’d share a few animal inspired rainbows.
The other night a friend called me about a gannet sitting on the beach. I was tired but I felt an urge to go, now I know why, when I arrived to the bird he was sitting at the entrance to the rainbow circle. He brings the message of going with the flow, follow your inner guidance, even the whispers. Trust what feels inspiring and energizing is guiding you.
The humpback rainbows are from California. The pelican and the seagulls are from a sunrise on New Smyrna Beach.
Stay tuned for a Tales from the Lagoon
Wishing you a rainbow kind of day in the flow.
Gannet at sunrise at the entrance of a rainbow circle
Humpback whales in California
Open your heart to receive wonder
Mother Nature brought us a beautiful sunrise with rain, fluffy clouds and another rainbow!
The ocean churned as the sun came up under a layer of clouds. Rain on the horizon inched its way toward shore brining us a sun shower and a beautiful full rainbow.
Pelican Highway was cruising southbound on the horizon while the gulls stayed close to shore looking for snacks.
Luna the Osprey was soaking up the rainbow energy bringing us the message of the day.
She opened her wings and said, “Open your heart to the hope and magic all around. Soak up the rainbow energy, letting yourself fill with wonder.”
Wishing you a day filled with wonder and hope!
Luna the Osprey soaking up the rainbow.
Feeling safe to deeply relax
With a nice salty breeze the morning air felt refreshing. Clouds soaked up the pink color before the sun came up to greet the day. Seagull Street was packed as they flew in, in perfect formation. The flock was full of laughing gulls and a solo and sleepy royal tern.
The royal tern said, “Sleep and rest are necessary to stay strong. You see, I have flown a long distance to be in sunny Florida. I feel safe closing my eyes for a few minutes when I’m surrounded by the flock. I bring the message of feeling safe to deeply relax.”
The flock of laughing gulls in front of the sunrise brings us the message of perspective.
They added to the royal tern saying, "How we see things can depend on if we are rested. We encourage taking time to unplug, giving yourself a time out, because with rest comes clarity."
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Step into your divine essence
I could hear the waves roaring from the distance as I walked to the beach. When my feet hit the sand the salty air filled my lungs and my heart open seeing the stunning pink light rays jetting into the sky.
Surfers were sprinkled in the ocean, ready to enjoy the perfect curl. A chatty flock of gulls flew in to enjoy bath time. This morning royal terns joined the laughing gulls for some much needed squeaky clean time.
Royal terns have big personalities! One taking a bath with gusto said, “No matter your size, bring it! Step into your divine essence and let it shine.”
Pelican Highway was packed both south and northbound. 2 pelicans flying by said, “We highly recommend sharing the road with friends. It’s nice to have someone to draft off when you need a little rest but don’t want to stop.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Let go to feel solid
With a layer of fog hovering like a cozy blanket and a pastel color show, the morning was very serene and calming.
The sun came up from behind a cloud on the horizon with just a golden lining around the cloud at first. As it continued to rise, the light instantly changed to mood to one of hope for a new day. The sun brings the message of letting your light to burn through the fog.
Surfers were coming out of every nook and cranny to ride the perfect waves. Pelican Highway traffic was moderate, also enjoying riding the waves.
After sunrise I ran into a gorgeous tri-colored heron. He was hanging out on a popular limb for grabbing breakfast. He was barley holding onto the branch bringing us the message of finding a solid foundation by letting go.
He said, “I know it seems opposite, but the less I hold on, the more sturdy I feel. You see, I trust myself to be my solid foundation so if the ground under me is shaky, I still feel centered. And this way I can easily move when I feel inspired.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Rest before plunging to get my goal
Ahhhhh another reflective sunrise showing off Star Trek like portal that lasted for most of the morning. The flock of gulls flew in for our regular bath time and stayed until the sun was up to show off their beauty.
There was a gannet near by resting from its long trek from Canada. We are heading into the “Fall out” season is when the migrating birds gets so tired they land and rest for a few days. If any of my bird friends want to share helpful information about the migratory birds, it would be greatly appreciated.
Gannets are gorgeous birds and magnificent plunge divers bring us the message to dive in! They bring the message of breaking through barriers to catch our goal.
This particular gannet was exhausted and covered in bugs. Bugs on birds are a sign of their health. She said, “Not to worry, I have a lot of life force, I just need time to rest before heading back to the friendly skies. Once I’m air borne, I can take time to flap around in the water to get the bugs off. I’m here to encourage rest to recover so like the gulls you soar with your wings and heat open.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Circle Rainbow from Sunset last night
Gannet resting from the long flight
Showing off my bones
Giggles, connect, love, hope
Mother Nature brought us a magical sunrise with breathtaking reflections, rain, and a rainbow!
Pink and gold came together to give us a copper color show. The light breeze flew cool and refreshing.
Rain on the horizon moved closer to shore bringing a sun shower and a rainbow just after sunrise. The vibe was most definitely one of hope.
While standing on the dock watching the rainbow grow a couple dolphins swam by on the way to grab breakfast.
Rainbows bring us the universal sign of hope, the promise of new beginnings. The rainbow says, “Keep the faith, everything is working out, even if you can’t see how.”
The dolphins added to the message, reminding us to play! Go ahead and giggle, connect, and love, those are the qualities that bring depth to our experience.”
Wishing you a day filled with love!
Stretching and Joy
Mother Nature used her intense color palette with dark orange and golds as the foundation for the reflective sunrise. When the waves rolled out they revealed a masterful painting on the wet sand.
The flock off laughing gulls was huge today! During bath time one of the gulls put his wings back behind his head saying, “Go ahead, stretch just a bit past your comfort zone. Even the tiniest stretch can open new possibilities, and it feels good too!”
After sunrise a couple dolphin swam into the lagoon for a quick bite. They bring the message of play! They said, “We encourage creating opportunities for joy and play. Like the gull said, even a quick moment of joy can create a positive shift”
Wishing you a playful day friends!
Stretch just a bit past your limits
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Nature has the best toys
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Nature Has the Best Toys!
Momma Charlee and her youngin’ Angel, along with Uncle Larry and Jagger came into the lagoon to play and relax.
The Lagoon is a calm area for the adults to nurse and teach the kiddos. On this day the adults were having way more fun than the kids. Momma Charlee followed Pip the Pelican with mangrove propagule time. The propagules are the perfect shape to play the stick game. That involves tossing it up sometimes with another dolphin or can be played solo.
Uncle Larry who is considered an elder river dolphin in his 40’s was so playful! He was teasing the pelicans and playing with paddle boarders too. In this post he is the one with the mullet, check out those pearly whites! More from Uncle Larry coming soon.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Charlee with a mangrove seed (Propagule)
Charlee playing
Charlee swimming by with the mangrove seed still in her mouth
Uncle Larry
Uncle Larry
Tales from the lagoon ~ Episode- Pip shares his weight training tips
Tales from the Lagoon~. Episode- Pip the Pelican Shares his Weight Training Tips
If you are just tuning in, I met Pip the Pelican back in March this year when he had a sheepshead filleted fish stuck in his gullet. The hospital was closed so they said to feed him until he got back on his feet. Well....that took a while, which means we became best of friends.
We spend almost every day together, some days for hours, other days just a quick hello.
He is doing great now! He has lots of friends, including a best bird pelican friend named Patches.
Yesterday, he was showing off his weight training skills that keep him strong and able to catch fish. He started with a stick, then went for some seaweed then spent a long time with a mangrove seed. (technically a propagule)
He was having such a good time, he played for 30 minutes with the various nature toys.
I hope these photos make you smile! Such a sweet and funny soul this one.
Stay tuned! Pip started the playtime, and a dolphin joined in the stick game.
Mangrove seed (Propagule)
Mangrove seed (Propagule)
Stick, Stick, Stick.
Say Ahhhhhhhh
Love all our bumps and bruises
As I walked to the beach, the clouds were fifty shades of grey with a little light peeking through along with a sliver of pretty in pink. The sand was still wet from a recent rain storm. With the heavy clouds and light breeze, the morning felt extra cozy.
The flock of gulls (Laughing Gulls) flew in to enjoy the sunrise. One Legger and Floppy were in the mix. One legger was showing her power move while Floppy strutted around showing her cool wings. These two remind us to embrace our strengths.
One legger said, “Whales have barnacles, dolphins have scratches and chucks missing from their dorsal fins, yet we see them as beautiful Beings. Join me in loving all of our bumps and bruises, even the ones on the inside.”
Do you think One Legger needs a different name, any suggestions?
Luna the osprey was hanging out at the marina after sunrise. She was holding her hurt foot up saying, “Rest is necessary to stay strong and heal. Go easy with yourself as your body catches up with your mind and spirit.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
One legger showing her power
Lean back, wings and heart open singing loud
Floppy strutting her stuff
Luna the osprey
The path will be illuminated
Mother Nature bought us a sweet and soft sunrise courtesy of a layer of fog and light breeze. The refections on the wet sand added to the heart expanding vibe. The soft colors on the ocean looked like a velvet blanket.
A combo message today from a surfer, the flock and pelican highway. The flock of seagulls flew in for our usual bath time. The water felt warm and refreshing as we splashed around getting the bugs off.
They said, “Everyone in the pool! We flock together for safety and companionship. We take a bath everyday to get any pesky bugs off so we stay strong and healthy.”
Pelican Highway glided past the sun all lined up reminding us our path will be illuminated as we align with our heart’s desire.
The surfer in front of the sun brings the message of perspective. Depending on your view, some objects may appear larger. One of the seagulls in his reflection said, “When things feel big and overwhelming, just keep stepping forward, one step at at a time, you got this.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Everyone in the pool!
A Warbler and whales!
Warbler and Whales!
On this chilly and overcast day, we were 6 1/2 miles off shore, nothing around, when this cute little warbler came to join us on our whale journey. The railing was slippery but this nugget knew how to keep his wings out until he was steady.
He stayed and rested with us for about 20 minutes before moving on. We heard later it found refuge in the cabin of a larger boat.
I felt very inspired by both the wee nugget and massive whale!
Stay tuned for more tales from California and new Tales from the Lagoon.
Sunrise from New Smyrna Beach is back and the previous post. For whale videos and photos, scroll back to earlier posts.
