You are strong and capable
With a heavy layer of salty fog and wall of clouds on the horizon, the morning was cozy and serene. The sun took a while to make it’s way up past the thick clouds reminding us to be patient. When it did come up, golden rays of light petted into the sky filling the air with a hopeful vibe.
The ocean was churning adding to the energy of the day. A cormorant flew in, diving right into the waves to grab fish. She said, “Sure the current and waves are powerful, but so am I! I trust myself to navigate the waves, I am strong and capable.”
After sunrise a male cardinal was singing with gusto. He said, “I agree with the cormorant and also represent confidence. Don’t sell yourself short, who you are at your core can inspire others. Embrace your inner cardinal, sing your heart out, and go after what you want. You go this!”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
male cardinal
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Daniko Grants My Wish
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Daniko Grants My Wish
These photos are of the dolphin I call Daniko. I’ve known him since 2018 but didn’t really get to know him until March 2021.
In the last 8 months we have spent countless hours together. He will do silly things like a grab a flounder and swim by nice and slow just a few feet away so I can get the photo.
His bestie is Jasper but he is spends time with the moms and their kiddos too.
On Friday I said to him, “I haven’t had any dolphin jumping out of the water in a while, can you help me out?” A few minutes later he went and grabbed a huge mullet while flying out of the water, then repeated a few more times.
Afterward he swam by as if to ask, “How was that?” I said, That was great, Thank you!
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS~ Sunrise for Sunday is in previous post
Follow the rhythms and Natural flow
Ahhhh, an easy like Sunday morning kind of sunrise with soft and sweet colors. With the absence of a breeze and a light layer of fog, the stillness and quiet was soothing.
The flock of gulls flew in early to chat it up before heading to the ocean for bath time.
Shimmery amber light danced across the calm ocean while the huge sun came up, peeking out from behind a few clouds.
With the full moon just a couple days away and a sailboat passing under the sun, I was reminded of one of my favorite songs, Cool Change by Little River Band. “It's kind of a special feeling, Out on the sea alone, Staring at the full moon like a lover.”
On my way off the beach I heard a woodpecker before I saw him attempting to grab breakfast. He said, “Keep hammering away at your heart’s desire. Don’t give up on your dreams."
"I’m here to tell you that your hard work will pay off, doors are opening even if you can’t see them yet. Follow the rhythms and natural flow and you will find your way with ease.”
Wishing you a sweet day friends!
Venture into the unknown
Mother Nature used her swirly paint brush this morning creating a soft surrounding for the sun to emerge through. One Legger and her flock flew in with their wings and hearts open soaking up the sunlight.
She said, “My head is almost black which means I’ll be leaving soon for the summer. It’s the season for mating and I’m looking forward to some summer loving.”
Perfect waves rolled in looking like velvet emerald blankets as they made their way toward shore. A cormorant was using Pelican highway to cruise southbound.
She said, “You see, I dive into the water not knowing exactly what I will find. I’m here to encourage venturing into the unknown. New experiences can broaden your horizons and add a little zest to your life.”
Wishing you a zesty day friends!
PS ~ Check out the Tales from the lagoon episode in previous post
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Trusting New Flippered Friends
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Trusting New Flippered Friends
Yesterday I spent 4 hours with a new pod of dolphins. I have probably met them before yesterday but we hadn’t spent quality time like this together.
The morning started out with chasing fish, mostly mullet and jacks. There were 4 dolphins in this pod. They were like a perfect hockey team, swimming in perfect harmony always knowing where all the characters were in the lagoon.
In this series they grabbed a jack in the shallows. The dolphin with the fish rolled over on his side and just held the fish for a long while. I thought to myself, that’s like me with chocolate.
Then he started swimming toward the deeper end, just a few feet aways tossed the fish around splashed a bit then down the hatch head first it went.
Then something I had never experienced before happened. The 4 dolphin swam out to the middle of the channel and started swimming back popping out of the water at mach speed chasing a school of fish.
The fish were flying out of the water and headed right for me. I was in chest deep water at the time. The dolphins were right behind the fish also coming right at me.
As they reached me 3 dolphins went by on my right, one on my left, smooth as butter, just inches away…wooooosh! The fish went between and around my legs. Although I was a little nervous, I knew after the last 3 hours of allowing me to be in their space, we had built trust. Phew! To be a part of the pod is truly a wonderful experience, one I never take for granted.
Stay tuned for more tales!
get the whole picture from bird’s eye view
Mother Nature gave us another spring time kind of sunrise with pink and amber colors. A cool breeze kept things feeling fresh while the sun came up bringing warmth.
Sweet waves rolled in toward shore catching the sparkly light. Surprisingly, Pelican Highway was void of traffic.
It’s the time of year when osprey return and stake a claim on one of the tall buildings as their winter home. Two were chatting back and froth between buildings. They bring the message of the birds eye view.
They said, "We highly recommend looking at situations from a higher perspective. This gives us the whole picture so we can see all the moving parts which helps us with clarity. Then we will can take action when we feel inspired.”
Wishing you a groovy day friends!
New beginnings are always available
What a fun and beautiful morning. A beautiful spring color palette gave us a peaceful and sweet sunrise. The sun came up looking like a striped Easter Egg above the calm ocean. Perfect surf waves had surfers coming from every nook and cranny to catch a wave.
The surfers and waves bring us our message today. When the energy of the wave dissipated, the surfers were practicing their artful dismounts. What fun they were having.
The surfers and waves bring the message of being aware of the cycles and rhythms of momentum.
“Not to worry when the energy disappears, more will come, have fun with endings, because new beginnings are always available to us. New waves are developing right now, it’s just a matter of timing and patience.”
Wishing you a fun day friends!
Having fun with the dismount
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Flying School
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Flying School
The lagoon was like a quick stop store with dolphin popping in to grab snacks, hang out then leave and come back for more a little later.
Lots of different dolphins coming and going but Momma Jade and her kiddo along with Momma Sirabi and her youngster young hung out the most. It was sweet to see their kiddos play together while they relaxed.
Momma Jade was playing with a school of fish which got them to fly. She didn’t grab any for snacks, it seemed like she was trying to give the pelicans a helping hand to grab sacks.
Rusty, Eddy and Milo the immature pelicans were grateful for the assist and tried to catch a couple of the fish.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Momma Jade is behindthe school of fish
Momma Sarabi with youngster Simba in the middle
Stand tall and show your true essence to the world
It was a truly breathtaking sunrise with a lake like ocean except for perfect waves rolling toward shore beckoning the surfers to come play.
Dolphins were grabbing snacks in the waves, letting the waves roll over them. They said, “We bring the message of relaxing into the waves and let them roll over you. It’s true some life waves are very powerful, roll with them rather than bracing and you will find it feels easier.”
The light show was incredible today. The light on the water and in the waves was quite a kaleidoscope of colors from emerald green to a golden copper.
The flock of gulls flew in at their usual time to enjoy baths time and hanging out on the beach. One of the gulls strutting her stuff said, “Don’t hold back, go ahead work it, own it. Stand tall and show your true essence to the world.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
let go so it’s easier to roll with the changes
Ahhhh, another sweet and romantic pretty in pink kind of sunrise. Dolphins were cruising southbound just past the perfect waves which were soaking up the light.
The flock of chatty gulls flew in for bath time saying, “Join in, shake your tail feathers to start your day. That’s right a good shake, a really good one, the kind that gets your feathers flapping and the water flying. It’s a great way to get your blood flowing and ready for the day.”
3 egrets glided by with ease bring the message of going with the flow. They said, “If things feel challenging, wait until you feel the flow to carry you forward.
A laughing gull with his full black head said, “I have my sexy mating colors on so will be leaving soon. I bring the message of seasons coming and going. I agree with the egrets message of flow, I encourage letting go of attaching to things staying the same so it is easier to roll with the shifts and changes.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Inspire others by staying open
With a heavy and wet layer of fog the morning started off dark, grey and cozy with a sliver of pink just above the ocean. As the sun came up the fog and clouds soaked up the pastel colors contrasting the emerald green waves.
The flock flew in later today but just as chatty and ready for bath time. One Legger found a twin! Both their heads even look to be turning black at the same time. They said, “Keep your wings and hearts open to finding your like minded flock mates.”
A few dolphins were playing in the perfect waves as these came up to greet the day. The dolphins said, “When things seem a bit foggy and confusing, a few moment of fun and play can shift how you feel. We highly recommend playing to clear the fog.”
Buddy the herring gull surrounded by laughing gulls said, “I agree! Be the bird who inspires others to stay open.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
2 One Leggers!
Buddy the herring gull
2 One Leggers!
dolphin in the wave
self care is contagious
It was a beautiful spring like day with a cool breeze and stunning pretty in pink and amber color show. The sun came up looking striped giving the ocean a lingering kiss goodbye for the day.
Perfect waves rolled toward shore beckoning the surfers to come play. The waves were catching the sweet light adding to the beauty of the day.
After sunrise, the lagoon was hopping with the dolphins, Momma Sarabi and Young Simba. Rusty, Eddy, Milo and Nigel were just a few of the dozen pelicans grabbing snacks along with a few cormorants.
Rusty came over close and started to bathe which set off a chain reaction of other pelicans bathing. He said, “Self care is contagious. As I get squeaky clean it inspired others to join in. Before you know it we were all feeling good and bug free.”
Us pelicans like to feed together too bringing the message of teamwork and timing. When we dive together, we have a better chance of scoring fish. We do the work and trust in the timing. Eventually, it all lines up for success.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Sunset Party
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Sunset Party
I am away from the sunrise this morning so sharing a few photos from last nights sunset party with our message for the day.
Lots of dolphins all around, Momma Jade and her kiddo Opal spent a few hours relaxing and grabbing few fish. Other moms and their calves along with several adults were in and out grabbing snacks.
The message comes from the glider person buzzing the Marine Discovery Boat. A lucky tour for sure, surrounded by dolphins and a close encounter with the flying man.
He brings the message of expecting the unexpected. People, places and things can show up in surprising ways to add a little zest to your experience.
Wishing you a zesty kind of day friends!
Feel lighter with an open heart
Inhale, Exhale, Repeat.
The morning was still and serene with the absence of a breeze and the ocean looking like a lake. Perfect wave washed over me as the sun came up to great the day, taking any stress away.
Like Zac Brown band and Jimmy Buffet sing, "The ocean is my only meditation. Sunshine gonna wash my blues away. When you lose yourself, you find the key to paradise."
The flock of gulls came in at their usual time for bath time. All at once, they opened their wings and began to lift off.
They said, “Having open hearts and wings will help you feel lighter making it easier to lift up. We like to do this together, sharing the experience with each other adds to the sweetness of the day.”
Wising you a beautiful day filled with joy!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - It’s a Whopper!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - It’s a Whopper!
It was a pretty busy day in the lagoon today. Several momma dolphins and their kiddos stopped by to grab snacks and relax.
Daniko and Jasper two male dolphins and a few others were snacking and snuggling.
Most of the dolphin were grabbing mullet, but I did see one sheepshead and the whopper jack crevalle.
The dolphin with the huge jack was feeling very playful. He grabbed the fish and swam at a flock of cormorants who were also fishing in the same area.
On the way by, with the fish in his mouth, he gave the bird a gentle bump with his head from underneath.
I’m pretty sure the dolphin was giggling and bragging.
The cormorant was a pretty good sport about it and went back to fishing.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Sunrise from Thursday is previous post.
Mine mine mine
Cormorant feeling after the dolphin bumped him from underneath
Pelican grabbing snacks
One step at a time. Find your pod
Mother Nature brought us an abundant sunrise with loads of wildlife and every color in the crayon box. The morning started quiet with a pink filled sky.
The chatty and huge flock of gulls flew in early to take a bath and watch the sunrise. AS if on cue when the sun was up, the gulls popped up in front of the sun with their wings open ready to soak up the light.
Perfect waves rolled toward shore catching the sweet light making beautiful art. An egret brings us one of the message today. He said, “Take it one step at a time. I find it helps to slow down and feel each step, let yourself absorb each moment. Slowing it don helps to calm your nervous system and bring inner peace.”
After sunrise a large pod of 12 dolphins were frolicking in the deep water. Moms, babies and male dolphins all enjoying some snuggle time with a little fishing.
They said, “We bring the message of community. We encourage working and playing together. For us, our pod brings us our home, love, safety, collaboration and play. We wish you a loving pod you call home.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
One step at a time, nice and easy
Wave Art
Pip the pelican looking good
You are stronger than you think
Ahhhhhhh, With the absence of a breeze and lake like ocean the morning was exceptionally serene.
The flock of gulls flew in before the sunrise while skimmers, ducks, cormorants and a pair of dolphins enjoyed grabbing breakfast. One of the gulls hanging near the sun inspired the song Walking on Sunshine.
As the sun came up, it looked like it was melting in the ocean before rising up filling the sky and ocean with a beautiful orange light.
An osprey flew overhead with a huge and heavy fish. He said, “I’m here to remind you that you are stronger than you think. Just like I pulled this huge fish out of the water, you too can grab onto your goals, even when it feels challenging. Keep the faith, you got this!”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - 3rd Year with Young Simba and His Mom
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - 3rd Year with Young Simba and His Mom
One of the things I didn’t anticipate when I stepped into the lagoon in 2018 is that I would get to know the residents on a personal level and even get to see them grow up!
I met Simba and his mom Sarabi on April 7, 2021. He was a spitfire, full of playful energy. He would swim circles around me then splash me with his tail.
Then he would race over and tease the pelicans by bumping them or giving them a bop with his tail. As you can see from his eyes, he was having so much and definitely loves to play.
When he returned again in April last year, I was so excited to see them both looking well. One early morning on April 15 he and his mom came over and he jumped out of the water just a few feet away! That photo is on my website. That’s when I got a good look at his belly and confirmed he was a boy.
Male dolphins have an exclamation point on their belly- a long line then a smaller line while females have a division sign- one long line and 2 small slits on each side.
He and his mom are still very close, swimming next to each other almost always. They love to cuddle and smooch too. If you have the wildlife calendar, Simba and his momma are the February photo.
This year they arrived this week, February, rather than April. When I first saw them, I thought Sarabi might have a new baby with her, but Simba has a white mark on his head which I was able to see to identity him. He also has a chunk missing on his tail.
Stay tuned for more tales!
2021
2021
2022
2022
2021 Little Simba
This year, Simba is growing up!
Tales form the Lagoon~ Episode- Pip the Pelican with a Public Service Announcement
Tales form the Lagoon~ Episode- Pip the Pelican with a Public Service Announcement
Hi Everyone! If you are just tuning in, my name is Pip the pelican and I’m a brown pelican. Last year I tried to eat a filleted sheepshead fish which got stuck in my gullet, it was a very scary time for me.
Lucky for me several Hoomans helped remove the boney fish from gullet. The road to recovery was a long one! It took about 9 months to get back to feeling strong and healthy.
Yesterday, young Eddy the pelican picked up a fishing lure and was thinking about eating it when I went over add took it from him. Actually, I thought it was a real fish so I was being dominant and stole it.
It’s a good thing I did! He is young like I used to be and he may have eaten it had I not taken it. I swished it around in my pouch a few times just to make sure it wasn’t a real fish then I spit it out. Shelley picked it up so none of the other birds would eat it.
Please be aware of your fishing gear, including live fish hanging off a dock, fishing line, lures and hooks. Us pelicans are curious and hungry, a combination that can get us into trouble. It’s true we would try to eat a fish hanging on a line in the water.
Thank You! We need all the help we can get to stay healthy, strong and thrive.
Stay tuned for more tales!
It looks like a fish, but doesn’t taste like a fish
You may have to dig a little
Mother Nature liked the sunrise so much yesterday she created a very similar start to the day today. With perfect emerald waves rolling toward show while the sky exploded in a pink and red color show.
The breeze was damp and cool with a hint of salt. The flock of gulls flew in at their usual time for some much needed bath time. The water felt cool and rejuvenating.
A flock of oyster catchers flew by at mach speed bringing us the the message today. They said, “We are the largest Florida shore bird and pretty. We use our bills to open mollusks which is how we got our name."
"We are a reminder that you may have to dig a little to get to your goal. Be open to investigating and the discovery process, it’s half the fun.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
oyster catchers
Pelican Highway