Soar above the chaos
The rain from yesterday brought us clear and open sky with a chilly breeze. The sky filled with a vibrant orange glow as the sun came up to greet the day.
The sun seemed to linger above the ocean as if giving the ocean a prolonged kiss goodbye for the day. The illuminated half moon added to the beautiful morning.
The flock of seagulls flew in fast and chatty! It was surprising to see so many, but what fun we had with bath time in the tide pool. One of the seagulls had the refection of the sunrise in his eye. He said, “I bring the message of compassion for what others see.”
The other gulls said, “Open your wings and heart to soar above the chaos. See yourself letting go of anything that keeps you feeling heavy. Join us in flying high with love and joy.”
Wishing you a groovy day friends!
PS~ the short documentary, My Invisible Husband if for rent, just click the link to see more. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/myinvisiblehusband
Prolonged kiss good bye for the day
Rainy day duck message
With rain at sunrise this romping I thought what a good day to be a duck. Mergansers are small ducks with adorable personalities. They are shy little birds who come to the lagoon in the winter months.
They enjoy paddling around the lagoon for hours in groups and even interact with the dolphin. They have the ability to take off quickly both by land or under water.
They remind us not to wait but to keep moving forward. "Go ahead, Keep plodding along and be ready to move when inspiration strikes!”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
PS Check out the baby dolphin love fest video in the previous post.
Tales from the lagoon ~ Baby playtime
On this day a pod of young dolphins were enjoying playing together with a few smooches and hugs. Thought you might enjoy seeing their love fest.
Quiet time, Self Care and play!
With rain on the way we had an overcast sunrise with a hint of the peach part of the color when. The grey and pastel sky make the water look even more teal. The breeze was moist and salty and felt good on my skin.
A few birds flew in to say hello. A herring gull was quite chatty with visible bugs. He said, “Bugs are a sign of our self care and immune system. We highly recommend taking time for self care to prevent the buildup of bugs. Less bugs makes us happy!”
After sunrise a blue heron flew by with squawking. She said, “Us blue herons tend to hang out alone unless it is mating season and baby rearing time. Today I bring the message of solitude being a therapeutic time to soul search and meditate. Quiet time is good to charge the battery.”
Then a dolphin and a couple pelicans came to play! They remind us how nutritious food and play time is good for the immune system!
Wishing you a groovy day friends!
Blue heron sqawking on his way by
Herring gull saying, these bugs on my head are letting me know I need more time for self care.
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- A day with Momma Jade
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - A Day with Momma Jade and Her Latest Kiddo
If you are just tuning in, I met momma Jade in 2019 with her baby Ruby. Momma Jade is very sweet. Of all the momma dolphins she is the one who I see sharing the most affection, always touching, kissing and hugging her kids.
In this set of photos, Momma Jade was taking some time to grab snacks while Opal, the latest baby played with the other dolphin. When Jade wasn’t grabbing snacks she and Opal were cuddling and kissing. Opal was rolling all around and over her momma with pure joy.
Check out the photo I snapped just after Jade grabbed a fish, she was swimming away when a dolphin in the distance jumped out of the water. That was the feel of the whole day, lots of spontaneous play, fish grabbing, kissing and kickin’ it!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Momma and her youngin’
Momma jade grabbing a snack and swamping a pelican in her wake
As Momma Jade swam away a dolphin in the distance jumped.
More snuggles with Opal the youngin’
Mine Mine Mine
Jade with a fish
A team helps Rescue a pelican
Tales from the Lagoon ~ A Public Service Announcement for Pelicans.
This morning a group of Shineadoors (People shining the light by doing good deeds) helped out a pelican in distress.
The pelican had a sheepshead fish stuck in his gullet. Sheepshead have sharp spines on their back that can slice the gullet and get lodged.
The fish had been filleted and the carcass with spines thrown into the water or to the pelican.
I posted a few photos to show you their amazing pouch and a sheepshead fish being tossed up by a dolphin to give you a visual
If you are fishing and have one of these fish, PLEASE don't throw them to the birds and if birds are around don't toss them in the water where they will grab them.
With 6 hands, we were able to get the fish dislodged without the gullet tearing. The pelican was tired and willingly let us help him. Once the fish was out, the pelican flew away, gave himself a couple of good shakes then went to rest and recuperate.
Stay tuned for a happy dolphin tale!
Sunrise photos from Wednesday are previous post. I posted a few videos in previous posts as well. Enjoy!
A shineadoor helped to get the pelican with a net from the dock then I scooped him up with a sheet and placed him on a floating dock where 3 of us dislodged the sheepshead
Removing the sheepshead
Sheepshead showing off his spikes
Showing off his fish and gullet
What? Too big? :)
Stretching my pouch
Stretch past your comfort zone
Another stunning sunrise with a pretty in pink color scheme. After the sun started to come up about 10 seagulls, a flock of sandpipers, ruddy turnstones and a solo willet flew in to hang out.
The breeze and churning ocean gas us an invigorating vibe to the morning. As the sun came up, I saw a puppy dog walk across the Sun from right to left.
An egret flew by with his head stretched out saying, “Give yourself a good stretch, you know the kind that goes from head to toe and feels sooo good. Stretch past your comfort zone just a little. You’ll be surprised what new energy it brings to you. It’s an easy way to break out of old habits.”
Then a flock of pelicans came in after sunrise to say, “Be ready for action so you can spring forward toward your goal. We recommend being present in the moment so you are alert and ready.”
Wishing you a groovy days friends!
PS~ A group of helpful people helped a pelican in distress, that story up next!
Puppy dog walking across the sun from right to left
And…stretch!
Ready to take action
Spread your wings and dive in
Thanks to low tide and fluffy clouds it was a wowzer of a reflective sunrise. The mirror image on the wet sand was breathtaking. As I watched the beauty unfold my body relaxed even more.
Only one seagull flew in today, bringing us the message of embracing the cycles and rhythms of life.
After sunrise, a huge pelican sushi rave was happening in the river. Eventually, the dolphins joined in the fun too. The pelicans were rapid fire diving reminding us to spread our wings and dive in. They said, “It’s ok if you miss your fish, keep trying. We also find playing with others makes it more fun. Joining the dolphins when they go for fish gives us an edge, you see, we know helping each other out is how we all succeed.”
A momma and a baby came in to grab snacks too. The mom seemed to have a nice balance of teaching and play. In between grabbing snacks, the mom would swim the baby by the birds to give them a little bump. The baby really enjoyed this game, the birds, not so much.
More from the post sunrise rave coming soon. Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Breakfast with friends
Mom and her youngin’
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Closeness is an honor
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Closeness is An Honor.
I have been meaning to share a couple videos of the dolphins to give you an idea of their personalities that doesn’t always get conveyed through still photos.
Often when I am in the water the dolphin will swim by showing off their playful personality. This particular dolphin was being playful for the camera before swimming off to catch a fish.
I first hopped in the water in 2018, since then I have had the pleasure of getting to know these dolphins and treasure the sacred trust.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Moxie plays with Pelicans
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode- Moxie the Dolphin Plays with the Pelicans.
This is the dolphin I call Moxie grabbing snacks with the pelicans. The pelicans chase after the dolphin attempting to grab the fish trying to escape.
You can see at first the pelicans were not sure which direction Moxie was headed but one of them figured it out and the rest followed the speed train coming in up close and personal.
Moxie and I got to know each other very well last year when she came in with a pretty large shark bite. We spent lots of time together. The therapy I do is called CranioSacral Therapy. I can feel/ sense pain in a person or animal from a distance, then I can assist them in letting go of trauma. I asked Moxie if I could help her last year and she showed me her gratitude, by coming close and tossing me a fish. Today we enjoyed more quality time as she came toward the camera chasing fish for 30 minutes. I’m still not sure she is female, I hope one day she shows me her belly.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Play to bring better balance
With a brisk wind and churning ocean, Mother Nature brought us sunrise full of artful textures. The pre sunrise sky had a sliver of a bronze glow and a single wispy pink cloud.
Only about 12 seagulls are left in the flock. Despite being a small group they flew in very loud with lots to say.
One the seagulls slammed on his brakes and hung in place saying, “When you are not sure what to do, I recommend, stopping. Take in all the information, look around for new perspectives then wait for inspiration to move forward. Following what energizes and inspires makes the journey more fun!"
After sunrise Momma Jade and her baby Opal came to say hello while a pod of 6 dolphins were having a love fest. They bring the message of community and love.
They said, “We bring the message of play to maintain harmony and balance. You see, too much work can lead to an imbalance. Even if you just take a minute to giggle, dance, sing or tell a joke, that can bring about better balance. “
Wishing you a harmonious day friends!
PS ~ My Invisible Husband is available for rent: Just client the link. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/myinvisiblehusband
Tales from the lagoon ~ Episode- frisky Business
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Frisky Business
Spring is in the air with lots of affection and cuddles in the water. Dolphins of every age joined in the cuddle fest. With so much loving, touching and squeezing, the joy was palpable.
Hard not to smile and giggle watching the fun unfold. Even the younins’ were in mix, rolling over on their back and side giving smooches.
Momma Jade was the only one not to join in the love fest. She seemed to be enjoying some much needed alone time to grab snacks and rest while the other adults keep an eye on the kiddos. More from Momma Jade later.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Promise of a new day
Clouds soaked up the pink and dark purple color before the sun came up the greet the day. Ominous dark clouds to the west brought rain just as the sun was coming up.
Beautiful rain streamed from the clouds. Despite the rain and clouds, the sun came up, large and bright bringing with a rainbow.
The rainbow appeared to be double for a short time filling the air with hope. Like Katy Perry sings, after a storm comes a rainbow... Whether it’s an emotional storm, a bumpy day, or life seems upside down, it will eventually subside and clarity will come.
Rainbows are a universal sign for love and promise of a new day. They remind us to hold strong to our faith and vision for life. Stay the course toward your pot of gold, whatever that may be for you. Be true to yourself and let the magic unfold.
Wishing you a day filled with blessings!
Soak up the light
Ball Ball Ball. My favorite sunrise is back with the sun rising as the moon sets. The full moon was bright and felt powerful as I walked to the beach. Technically it was full yesterday, but was hidden by the clouds.
This full moon brings us the message to look at our daily routines to see if any of our are habits keeping us from breaking free. The moon is amplifying the strength to bust out and move forward in areas we have felt stagnant.
The flock of seagulls was nowhere to be found when I reached the ocean. I thought they had left but they surprised me by flying in with all kinds of messages. They said, “Along with the moon soak up the light to soar even higher. Draw your strength from the resources around you.”
Two seagulls flying in tandem said, “We know the power of coming together to reach the same goal. We highly recommend flying together sharing the journey and making the ride a bit easier.”
And a solo seagull came flying in wings and heart open saying, “Stop and take a look around, you might see something new, oh and give me hug.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Check out the Tales from the Lagoon in the previous post.
worm moon
Together we got this
Soak up the light
Brakes!
Young Simba and his mom return!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Reunited with Simba and his momma Sarabi
I met Simba April 2021. Right from the start he showed off his adorable personality. I said back then that he was the first baby dolphin to ‘Human Whisper’ me. He would swim around me about 4 feet away and intentionally interact with the the camera. It felt like he was imparting wisdom of an old sage.
I could tell he wanted to have fun and it wasn’t just with me, he loved to tease the pelicans. The pelicans, not so much.
Today when a mom and young dolphin came into the lagoon, I didn’t know who it was at first. Then the young one started swimming circles around me and I thought, could it be Simba? it sure seemed like him.
It wasn’t until I was back at my computer to compare the dorsal fin and confirm it was Simba and Momma Sarbi. I haven’t seen them since May 2021. I’m not sure he is a boy yet…
Today the lighting was terrible but Simba was just as playful only now he is able to go get fish on his own or tag along with mom to chase fish. They made a great team. Momma Sarabi is gentle and patient. She seemed to trust Simba on his own, she left him a few times to go grab fish but then they were back together side by side, like two peas in a pod.
Simba still loves to tease the pelicans and play to the camera. It was a wonderful experience, like hanging out with old friends.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Simba and his mom, Sarabi from 2021
Simba and mom 3.17.22
Simba and mom 3.17.22
Simba and mom last year 4.7.21
Mom grabbing snacks 3.17.22
Simba last year 4.7.22
Sweet Simba last year
I’m open to being seen
Mother Nature liked her masterpiece from yesterday, she recreated a carbon copy sunrise with a wall of soft clouds with a sliver of color just above the ocean. The calm ocean with perfect waves seemed to go on forever adding to the expansive vibe of the day.
A very small flock of seagulls flew in for a short bath time. Almost all of them have black heads now as they prepare to leave for the summer.
Pelican Highway traffic was moderate heading northbound, stopping at several rest stops to grab snacks and rest. A pelican couple rested while the waves rolled gently under them. They were kind enough to fly by just as a wave was rolling toward the beach bringing us the message of timing and flow. They said, “We bring the message of relaxing into the flow. We know how using the energy of the waves can propel us down the beach with little effort.”
A pelican landed nearby to say, “Let’s hang out, after all it is the weekend. I’ve even got my fancy hair on but most importantly I bring the message of eye contact showing off my heart. I’m open to being seen, all of me.”
Wishing you a beautiful day in the flow!
PS ~ The short documentary is available for rent: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/myinvisiblehusband
Lead the way with an open heart
As I walked to the beach it was really dark, wet and windy. I doubted we would have a sunrise then Mother Nature showed up with a gorgeous start to the day.
The clouds remained dark and mysterious with a sliver or pink just above the ocean and a slight silver shimmer on the ocean when a white dove, angel looking shape appeared. Once the sun started to come up more colors joined in adding to the beauty of the day.
The flock of seagulls flew in at their usual time to enjoy bath time. One legger almost has a full black head as she gets her mating plumage ready. One the the seagulls lifted up front and center, leaned back with her wings and heart wide open saying, “Be the one who stays open to love and life. Love is contagious, as we stay open, even in the hard times, we send out into the ethers love to others.”
A solo egret came to say hello too along with a flock of ruddy turnstones. The egret said, “When you feel like you are in transition, I highly recommend being patient. Rest deeper into your feet to stay grounded and solid so you are ready to take action when the time arrives.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
To rent My invisible Husband: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/myinvisiblehusband
White Angel bird in the clouds
Be the one to be open hearted
Thanks to my sunrise crew for these photos.
Delays are purposeful
It rained over night and was still overcast at sunrise. A layer of salty fog, fluffy clouds and a moody bluesy color made it feel extra cozy.
As the sun came up the light made with through turning the blue to a sweet light blue. The flock of seagulls flew in hot and chatty. Most of the flock has left to head north.
I was really late getting in the river after sunrise, but was apparently just the right time because the sun came out and a dolphin grabbed a fish bringing us the message of timing.
The dolphin said, “You may think you want things to unfold a certain way but often when we are delayed or sent on a different path. Not to worry it is purposeful. Things are lining up to support you, trust in the path and the timing of how events unfold.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
The day my life changed course
6 years ago my life took an abrupt and unexpected turn when Roy, husband passed away. So much of my life has changed since that day.
One of the lines in the documentary, My Invisible Husband says, “The sun rises and sets, life goes on.”
At first I didn’t want life to go on, now I am excited about what’s next. Thanks to his love and guidance I get to hang out with dolphins and birds and see life through the eyes of a camera lens that fills me with so much joy, Everyday!! Pinch me, I have loads of joy! Who knew?! Roy did.
Our journey together after his death is what inspired making the film. He and I used to spend hours talking about how we could reach more people. He was also a CranioSacral Therapist and was fiercely passionate about helping his clients. This film is our collaborative effort showing the healing power of love and nature.
If you are interested is reading a few snippets of the journey, this is an older post I wrote about some of his visits.
Thank you Everyone for your support along the way. I’m grateful to have you as my pod.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I WROTE THIS ~ 3.15.19
It was 3 years ago today that my loving husband Roy Desjarlais suddenly left his body. In some ways it feels like yesterday and in others it feels like a lifetime ago. When I reflect back on this day 3 years ago I remember having a really intense dream a few nights before he died. I was on a plane that crashed landed in the water. I was alone standing on a piece of the plane screaming, “HELP!” I remember saying help out loud in my sleep.
I was really shook up when I woke up. Roy and I went for our usual walk with our dogs and I shared with him about the dream. We tried to figure out the meaning of the dream, but didn’t know at the time, the dream was a premonition.
For those of you who don’t know, Roy passed away in the hospital emergency room from an aortic dissection, a tearing of the aortic wall. He and I had a very close connection. We knew and felt what the other person was feeling.
I feel extremely lucky our relationship continued after his death. When I left the hospital that night, I felt him get in the car and come home with me. His presence was so strong I could see him sitting in the passenger seat.
For the 2 weeks following his death, I felt him attached at my right shoulder, his energy was palpable and solid. I was having 2 thoughts at 1 time. I could ask a question and hear his answer simultaneously. He made sure to joke and share things only Roy would say, helping me believe this was all true….real.
I admit, It was a little crazy making to feel him so strongly, on one hand I was devastated at losing him and on the hand I had a very present, loving and engaging invisible husband.
Looking back, I see how our deep connection saved me. Being able to feel him and talk to him was truly a gift for me. Sometimes when he visited we would have conversations. Other times it was more of a feeling he was there and I would receive a ‘download’ of information.
One morning about a month later I was pretty sad. I was walking our dog Lulu and Roy joined us. I asked him, “How are you?” he said “Really Good!” At first I was a little mad he was so good, but that quickly faded. He was really excited about all he was seeing. He said, “I wish I had a camera so I could share it.” Such a Roy thing to say, because Roy took photos of everything with his camera phone, and I mean everything.
I asked him to try to send me snap shots, like putting a Polaroid photo into my brain.He successfully helped me “see” the polaroid. He was right, the images were breathtaking, like something you see in Star Trek. He said, “Your words and our abilities don't really grasp the beauty, expansion and incredibleness of everything I see.”
I asked him, “What do you miss about being in a body?” He said “ I miss eating, drinking and driving- and all the aspects of why Beings come into bodies.” I miss experiencing textures, tastes and the feel of the breeze on my face.” He reminded me to notice the trees, the birds, the breeze, all of Nature and most of all to cherish and love the 3-D experience of a physical body. This is the essence I try to convey with my photography.
April 2017, in a dream he took me to the mall and said, “I want you to have a professional Canon camera for Christmas.” I couldn’t wait until Christmas, I waited about 2 weeks and bought the camera. He knew I was just going through the motions of life but not really living. He knew the camera would help me connect back to the natural healing of Mother Nature and bring me back to life.
Fast forward…….to Thanksgiving 2017. During a meditation he came for a visit. I said, “Hi! What are you doing?” Not sure why I asked that but I guess I was surprised he came in so strongly because I had not felt him in a while. He said, “I came to help my mom transition.” I found out the next day his mother passed away the night or two before Thanksgiving.
On that night he said, “I am going to be leaving for a while so you will move on.”
I said, “NOOOO!” He said, “It’s important for me to let go more.” I said, “I don’t like it, but I understand and knew he was right.
Fast forward to 2018.
Our interactions were less but I knew I could still reach him if I needed. When he did visit his energy was very light, which meant I had to be really clear to feel him. He again encouraged me to let go more. Yes, more surrender is necessary.
At one point in a deep meditation I asked him what he was doing where he was. He said he was gathering information and then sharing the energy with various body workers and healers. He described it as downloading new information and energy to assist in the healing. For those of us who knew him, we knew he would continue to help us.
He continues to be a Shineadoor…..One day I received a phone call from one his clients who said Roy came to her in a dream and told her she was very sick. He told her she needed to go to the doctor right away. When she went to the doctor they couldn’t find anything wrong but because of her dream, she insisted they keep looking. It’s a good thing they did because they found a tumor and she was scheduled for surgery. She is certain his visit saved her life.
Grief is a mystery. Sure there are emotional stages grief, but what I know now is they can last a minute or hours or weeks. They can even come at same time. Trusting Roy's process is the key to my sanity.
For anyone who has lost a loved one, including our fur babies, I hope this post helps give some peace knowing there is no separation between the physical world and the non-physical world. What I know for sure, is our loved ones can visit and assist, all we have to do is ask, trust and surrender.
As Roy would say, “Even in sadness, There Will Always Be Good in the World.”
Time heals, stay the course
The chilly wind was whipping this morning giving us an invigorating sunrise. Dark grey storm clouds loomed all around adding to the dramatic scene. The flock of seagulls flew in chatty bringing a joyful vibe with them.
The color show was magnificent! Mother Nature used every crayon in the box, even mixing up a few new shades of pink.
Pippa the pelican stopped by for a visit. She is a young brown pelican who has quite a bit of life experience with a couple bumps and bruises. She said, “It’s true, I’ve been bumped around a bit and I also know I’ll heal with time.”
I’ve spent a lot of time with Pippa over the past couple weeks. I’ve witnessed her courage to keep going, to keep diving, even when she doesn’t catch anything. She stays persistent bringing us the message not to give up, stay the course even when the road is bumpy. You got this!”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends.
Pippa the Pelican says, “With time, my boo boo will heal.”
I stay the course, despite the rough road
