A mix of sunny Florida and California
We are having a pastel moody bluesy, overcast sunrise with spitting rain. I thought a mix of Sunny Florida sunrises with California wildlife (Moss Landing) would be a nice way to start the day.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
The snuggle is real
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Extreme Sport Sushi Pelican Party!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Extreme Sport Sushi Pelican Party!
The recent cold weather slowed fishing in my area for weeks, but today, everything changed—Sheepshead was on the menu.
The pelicans gathered beneath the filet station, patiently waiting for scraps. Fortunately, the fishermen knew better than to toss them filleted carcasses—lesson learned from Pip the pelican’s fishy adventure.
Watching these pelicans in action is like witnessing a high-stakes sporting event. With a powerful flap of their wings, they lift themselves from the water reaching for the fillet, resembling basketball players at the tip-off.
Dining at this sushi buffet is an extreme sport—beaks lock, each bird vying for a prized scrap. But despite the chaos, no injuries occurred, and most managed to snag a bite.
Stay tuned for more tales from the lagoon!
Please may I have another?
Keep Your eyes on the prize!
And reach!
Graceful
Reunions come in many forms
A joyful reunion at sunrise!
When I arrived at the ocean this morning, a few gulls from the flock were already gathered. But to my surprise, among them was Tiger—a Heermann’s gull all the way from Baja California!
Tiger has been spending his winters in New Smyrna Beach since 2020, usually arriving in October and leaving around February. This year, when he didn’t come in October, we were not sure he would come. But here he is, right on the shore, reminding us that life is full of surprises!
He’s a true bird celebrity—birders seek him out, eager to capture his photo, knowing he’s traveled so far to be here. His return is a reminder to keep the faith, embrace unexpected joys, and cherish reunions when they come.
Wishing you a day filled with happy surprises!
Laughing Gulls
Laughing gulls
Tiger a Herrmann’s gull squawking back when I squealed WELCOME BACK!
Tiger a Heermann’s gull ~Listening intently while I ask him a hundred questions. :)
Tiger a heermann’s gull
Use your sensitivty to guide you
The moon was bright in the sky before first light surrounded by soft wispy clouds as I walked to the beach. A salty breeze was constant as I reached the edge of the ocean where I was greeted by the flock.
Waves rolled toward shore soaking up the gold light of the sun. Pelican Highway was high in the sky heading southbound, using the wind to carry them with ease.
After sunrise, my pelican friends were on the poles waiting fro the dolphins to come in bringing us the message of the day. “We have 2 messages today, “Hang with your like minded feathered friends and trust your emotions to guide you.”
“Did you know we are very sensitive? We use our emotions and intuition to guide us. We encourage you to stay in the moment and let your sensitivity guide you toward the next step. And hanging with friends makes it fun.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
It’s raining Light
With fluffy clouds on the horizon, the sun poured golden rays across the sky, delivering a much-needed uplifting start to the day.
The ocean churned toward shore, tossing salty spray into the air, while light traffic flowed southbound on Pelican Highway.
Ospreys lined up like planes at an airport, scanning the waters for breakfast. One osprey overhead paused for a moment of quiet connection, offering a message for the day, "Use your vision to see what is best for you. Remember, vision is not just what you see with your eyes—it is also your intuition, a powerful guide lighting the way."
Wishing you a light-filled day, friends!
Connect…use your vision to guide you
Cloud Art
Good Morning! It's a 100 shades of grey this morning.
I thought I would share a few of my favorite other worldly cloud art photos. A cloud angel, Aladdin and people in the sun. Let me know what you see.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Flying to the right
Aladdin shaped cloud
Cloud angel dangling his/her feet above the ocean
People in the sun
Person walking from right to left
Person waving on bottom right of sun
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: First Photo of Dolphin Anniversary
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: First Photo of Dolphin Anniversary
On February 17, 2018, I went for a sunset paddle, feeling a little lost that night. Whenever I’m uncertain about what to do next, I ask, “Show me what’s next.” Then, I wait—open to the signs and guidance that appear.
That night, I had a dream. I was half in the water, half out, capturing photos of orcas at sunset. The sky glowed orange, and water cascaded around them in shimmering splashes.
When I woke up the next morning, excitement replaced uncertainty. Inspired by the dream, I decided to try it that night—not with orcas, but with dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon. It felt safer, closer, more possible.
Much to my surprise and amazement, they came! As I clicked the shutter, their tails lifted, water cascading around them, bathed in the same golden-orange glow I had seen in my dream. Wow, was this really happening?!
One of those dolphins was the dolphin I call M. I didn’t know it then, but he would become a familiar presence in my life—one I have spent the last seven years photographing, documenting, and simply sharing space with. He is such a sweet boy!
That night was the beginning of something unexpected and extraordinary. It has been a true honor to meet so many wildlife friends—photographing their babies, their pods, and witnessing their highs, lows, and, of course, all their silly shenanigans. What a ride!
Show me what’s next!
Rainbows and puppy dogs
Good Morning! There was a hint of a sunrise with overcast sky. I thought it would be more uplifting to share rainbows and a puppy dog to brighten your day.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Standing in a portal :)
Archie, an adorable golden retriever
Remove the bugs that weigh you down
Ahhhhh, what a lovely sunrise! Some of the gulls were already gathered at the water’s edge when I arrived, while the rest flew in just before the sun peeked over the horizon.
The sky was painted in soft shades of pink, lavender, and blue, wrapping the morning in a calming embrace as we waited for the golden globe. When the sun finally rose, its golden warmth filled the air, a gentle reminder of new beginnings.
After sunrise, a handful of pelicans preened in the lagoon. One of them looked so much like my friend Pip that I couldn’t help but name him Junior. Junior brings us an important message about self-care.
Reaching under his wing to pull out old feathers and rid himself of pesky bugs, he said, "Daily preening keeps me healthy and strong. I highly recommend taking a few minutes each day to remove the 'bugs'—the little things that weigh you down—so you, too, can stay strong."
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Junior the pelican
Sunrise with the flock
Weeeeeeeeeee! The wind was whipping this morning! When the wind is strong the gulls use it to hang in place showing off their elite skills.
With the sand blasting, I gave my cameras the day off and used my phone to create a peaceful video to start the day. Hook and One Legger are front and center of the flock.
Please enjoy the song Love Lights by Kevin P Holt - Composer, a heart centered and heart opening composer.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Growth happens when we push past what we know
The flock flew in early and hot, ready to mingle with a magnificent sunrise as their backdrop. The bronze-colored sun inched upward, turning more golden as it spread rays of warm light across the water. The birds wasted no time, diving into the shallows to get squeaky clean under the morning glow.
After sunrise, Spot, my egret friend, and several pelicans gathered in the lagoon. One of the pelicans gave himself a good stretch, reaching his wings way back, prepared to lift off.
It was a reminder that strength comes not just from standing firm but also from stretching—physically, mentally, and beyond what feels comfortable. Growth happens when we push past what we know, expanding our reach like wings.
Nearby, Post stood tall in his power stance, another reminder that balance requires both grounding and movement. The birds, in their effortless way, demonstrated to be strong, we must also be willing to stretch.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Stretch
Spot the egret
Rainy day Connections
With looming rain and thick fog, I was only able to snap a few photos before the sky opened up with rain.
I thought I’d share a fun photo I received from a wonderful sunrise friend. This is Bob the seagull on my head while I was chatting with friends. I think he likes to pose. He reminds us how connections come in many forms.
Wishing you a beautiful with sweet connections!
PS~. Check out the previous post - I uploaded a new dolphin video
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Dolphin Pops in for a Quick Snack
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Dolphin Pops in for a Quick Snack
A new dolphin friend popped in for a quick bite accompanied by a pelican. The dolphin grabbed a quick fish but the pelican struck out. On the second swim by, the dolphin was kind enough to give some sweet eye contact.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Drink in the beauty, fall in love with life
The soft clouds, pink sky, and dreamy moon set the stage for a romantic start to the day. Nature’s love language was on full display.
The flock arrived early, a gathering of familiar friends—One Legger, Peg, Pixar, Hook, and Split Foot. They used the wind, effortlessly hanging in place, as if savoring the morning together.
One Legger, with his soulful eyes, locked onto the camera and seemed to whisper, “Drink in the beauty all around. Fall in love with life—its colors, textures, and tastes. Let wonder fill your heart.”
Above them, Pelican Highway soared, gliding high in the sky, silhouetted against the full moon. As I watched, the tune Fly Me to the Moon floated into my mind, a perfect serenade for this moment of love, connection, and flight.
Wishing you so much love friends!
"Fly Me to the Moon", originally titled "In Other Words", is a song written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The first recording of the song was made in 1954 by Kaye Ballard. Frank Sinatra's 1964 version was closely associated with the Apollo missions to the Moon
Fly Me To The Moon
Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a-Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you
Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
I love ... you
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Dolphin Says Hello
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Dolphin Says Hello
Charley, a male dolphin along with several pod mates came into the lagoon for a quick bite. As soon as he arrived, he came over to say a sweet hello before returning to the pod.
I love that boy! Stay tuned for more tales!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Always Something to See
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Always Something to See
The Good Year blimp lives just across the lagoon making it easy to spot when it is out for a ride. Check out the tiny people going for a ride.
The dolphins were having a party on the other side of lagoon, giving the cormorants a show at low tide. I sure hope they invent a teleporter soon, so I can zip over to the other side of the lagoon in a flash.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Change your viewpoint for clarity
Mother Nature brought us a sweet and salty morning with a soft haze hanging above the shoreline. The full moon was bright in the sky soaking up the sunlight before it even arrived. The flock flew in early with the full moon as their backdrop.
As the sun came up, the color show looked like peach sherbet switching to a golden glow as it inched higher in the sky.
The flock of gulls bring us the message of using the energy of the moon. The moon changes each day, making the fullness even more special. A time to reflect and let go. The gulls said, “Switching your viewpoint can give you new perspective, a subtle shift can give great clarity.”
Step into your courage
My favorite morning of the month—when the moon sets just as the sun rises to greet the day. This powerful combination didn’t disappoint, offering a breathtaking start filled with light and possibility.
Before the sun even peeked over the horizon, the lively, chatty flock arrived, their wings and hearts wide open before heading off to their morning bath. The ocean shimmered with a silky softness, its rolling waves reflecting a pastel palette of dawn.
This morning brought an unexpected gift. A bobcat on the boardwalk, crossing my path as I made my way to the beach. A perfect synchronicity, arriving with the full moon in Leo, represented by a cat.
The moon and bobcat come together to encourage letting go of obstacles in the way of our passion and confidence.
This moon invites us to embrace the unexpected—sometimes, the surprises in life are the very things that spark a breakthrough.
Go ahead, let your inner wild cat fill you with courage. Trust in the path ahead.
Stay focused, even when goals are slippery
The pre sunrise sky was a beautiful soft pink accompanied by a calm ocean that looked more like a lake today.
The sun came up looking like a pair of eyes poking through the cloud before becoming a giant golden ball of light. The gulls celebrating the beginning of a new day dancing around the sun.
The excitement started during bath time, a gull grabbed a fish and mayhem ensued! The skilled flyers followed the lead bird in hopes of stealing the fish. They bring us the message, “Stay focused even when the goal is slippery. No matter your goal, even when you lose your grip, you are making progress. Hang in there, you got this.”
Wishing you an abundant day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Mine mine mine
Hot pursuit
Slippery little fishy
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode Lagoon Friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode Lagoon Friends!
The comment I hear most often is how patient I must be to stand in the water for long periods of time. But for me, time disappears in a blink. There’s always something to see—a rare octopus warming in the sunny sand, the familiar presence of my daily friend Spot, or the visit of a dolphin.
On an average day in the lagoon, I find myself in good company. Spot, the egret, watches from the shallows, ever alert. Pelicans are always nearby, preening or resting, enjoying a break between dives.
And then, as if on cue, Charley the dolphin surfaces with a graceful hello, reminding me once again every moment is full of wonder.
Stay tuned for more tales!