Embrace your uniqueness
Mother Nature bought us a lovely breezy sunrise using her gold color palette. The flock of gulls were already at the edge of the water when I reached the beach.
Floppy, a laughing gull was extra chatty today. She looks different than the other birds with her wings hanging out and down. I asked her about her wings and she said, “It’s true I look different than the other birds, some call me quirky. I can still walk and fly like the rest of the flock.”
“My wings have inspired me to be more confident, to walk with swagger. What I’ve learned is whether we look different or not, we are all special in our own way, mine is just more obvious. I highly recommend embracing your uniqueness.”
One Legger flew in close to say, “I agree with Floppy, embrace and utilize your strengths. Focus on what works rather than what isn’t and you will soar.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Check out the previous post for a Dolphin Hug Fest. :)
I’m Floppy the laughing gull. I always have my wings out and down a little
I walk with confidence
One legger coming in close showing her sweetness
Tales from the lAgoon ~Epsiode- It’s a Hug Fest!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- It’s a Hug Fest!
Yesterday, it was overcast with rainy kind of day but the love fest was something I couldn’t miss. Everyone was in an affectionate mood. Even the dolphins passing by were hugging!
So many friends visiting the lagoon. Momma with the split dorsal fin and her calf, Charley, M and so many more! Everyone was hugging and playing, the kiddos played with each other and the adults. The grown ups were hugging and chasing fish.
The kiddos had so much fun flying out of the water and going zoom zoom with the adults.
Charley and M love to play to the camera, circling around on their sides as if waving with their fin. More from them soon.
Everyone was enjoying the stick tossing game, throwing mangrove Propagules into the air. They were catching snook and mullet when they were not hugging.
It was a feeling of pure joy.
More to share! Stay tuned for more tales!
Trust and allow
Inhale, Exhale, Repeat.
With rain in the forecast, the air was moist and salty with a light breeze. The ocean was calm except for perfect waves calling to the surfers to come play.
A pastel cloud cover rolled in from the north leaving a sliver of peach color just above the ocean. The colors were truly exquisite and calming.
The flock flew in for our usual bath time while Pelican Highway cruised high in the sky. The highway lined up nicely as they flew overhead.
They said, “Not to worry, things are lining up. Even behind the scenes, people, places and things are getting into alignment. All you have to do is trust and allow it to unfold. “
A solo seagulls taking time for self care and rest said, “Resting and self care is part of things aligning. Resting now will help you be ready when you feel inspired to take action.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Slowing it down
With heavy clouds all around it was very dark as I walked to the beach. The clouds seemed to make it even more quiet and cozy. A refreshing breeze was coming off the ocean.
Before the sunrise a glimmer of silver light made it through a break in the clouds brining a hint of pink to add to the moody blues. When the golden sunbeams started streaming through the clouds, the energy shifted, bringing a light and hopeful vibe.
The flock of gulls flew in to say hello. One of them hanging in front of the sun slowed down to say, “When things seem chaotic, take a minute to slow down and just be in the moment.”
Another curious gull checking out the foam reminds us to be curious and explore new things. He said, “Exploring new things can breathe a new sense of vitality into your life.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
2023 calendars are in!
2023 CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Spot the egret approves and recommends both the sunrise and wildlife calendar to brighten your year.
Available online and at The Hub on Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach
Tap into the fire that burns in your soul
The pre sunrise sky filled with pink swirls clouds, a light breeze and another day with the ocean churning. As the flock flew in they slammed on the brakes, changing directions so they could dive in.
They said, “We bring the message of being open to changing directions on a dime. Trust yourself, you will know when to dive in.”
After sunrise I had a chat with Luna the Osprey. She was hanging out in one of her favorite fishing spots. She said, “I’m a bird with a tremendous amount of fortitude. I’m here to remind you that you are much stronger than you know."
"Take a moment and feel your inner fortitude, you know, that fire that burns in your soul. Tap into it, use it and allow yourself to soar.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Luna the osprey. Can you feel her strength?
Fall deeper in love with your unique essence
The sun came up behind a large cloud from ion on the horizon giving us powerful, streaming beams of golden light. While the sun was coming up the Harvest full moon was setting surrounded by a pink aura.
The flock of gulls came in before sunrise. They used the wind to hang in place for several minutes. They said,”We love the wind because it makes it easy for us to hang out and enjoy the moment with ease.”
The combination of the sun and moon bring us the message of the day. The sun reminds us to receive the sun beams, filling us with light and hope.
The energy of this full moon gives us the opportunity to see past hurts while offering healing. Releasing past pain, makes room for more self love. It asks us to let go, even in areas we thought we had already let go. Embrace the opportunity to fall deeper in love with your unique essence.
Wishing you a day feeling so much love.
Use your intuition to overcome obstacles
With a churning ocean, salty breeze and golden rays of light, Mother Nature brought us a sunrise with hopeful vibe.
Before heading to the beach I watched the full blood moon set on the Indian Rover Lagoon. The orange glow and shimmering light on the water was stunning. This full moon brings us the message of finding balance between independence with balance in our relationships.
Just like most full moons, you may find emotions bubbling up with intensity. Not to worry, a duck couple and the flock bring us tips to navigate the energy.
A duck couple grabbing breakfast after sunrise said, “We bring the message of knowing you can overcome any obstacle you are currently facing by using your intuition and creativity. Trust yourself, you will find your way. Don’t give up, just keep padding, one day at a time.”
One of the gulls who snuck into the photo said, “Go ahead stretch past your comfort zone. Sure it may bring discomfort initially but you will find it helps you grow in a new way.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Floppy and friends
Sunshine can give you a boost
An orange glow filled the sky as I walked to the beach. A refreshing breeze and calm ocean added to the beauty of the morning.
For a long while the morning was very quiet, but as the sun came up the flock of gulls flew in fast and chatty! They hovered around the sun pointing their beaks at the big ball of light.
They said, “A few minutes of sunshine can help boost your level of serotonin which can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive, and focused.”
“We come to bath at sunrise knowing we can get the bugs off and soak up the sunshine. Double the pleasure and a great way to keep our immune system strong.”
Split foot and One legger were doing laps. Split foot put out her wing in One Legger’s face saying, “Hey! Stop hogging all the photos, I want to be seen too.”
Ahhh these birds, their little faces and personalities are so dang cute! Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Split foot said to One Legger, “Stop hogging all the photos!”
Grieving means you are healing
Good Morning! Ahhhh, a fall kind of sunrise with a cool breeze and a deep pink and orange color show. The flock of laughing gulls were so loud flying in a regular sunriser called the flock “An All Gull Choir.”
The flock stopped to have a bath and get the bugs off. We all noticed the water was a hint cooler too. Pelican Highway was causing southbound with moderate traffic while an osprey flew directly overhead looking for snacks.
As the sun came up filling the air with warmth and golden rays of light, the energy felt hopeful for a new day.
One seagulls with tattered wings flew in with her wings and heart wide open. I asked her, “How do you stay open with all those bumps and bruises?” She said, “The secret is to acknowledge how you feel just like the osprey who says dive deep into your emotions.”
I want to add to the seagulls message. As you know, hurricane Ian has had quite the impact, from loss of life to the loss of homes, vehicles, businesses and so much more. Even people who were not directly impacted by the storm have felt the intensity.
When people say it is just stuff, I totally agree, it’s just stuff. However, it is painful to lose ‘the stuff.’ It is so important to allow time to grieve and feel the emotions, the loss, then go to gratitude. Feeling your pain doesn’t mean you are not strong or grateful for what you have, it means you are healing.
Life is messy, let’s flock together to support and heal so we can love each other even more.
Wishing you a day filled with love!
A little hope goes a long way
Good Morning!
I have to be away from the sunrise for another day so i thought I would post a few random shots from last October.
The dolphin looking like he has wings from the pelican and the angel cloud felt like images inspiring hope.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Angel cloud, her foot is warming at the sun just above the water.
Focus on strengths rather what we don’t have
It was a seagull sunrise! It looks like the seagull shave returned to sunny Florida for the winter. The breeze had a nice chill to it giving us a refreshing start to the day. The breeze was blowing the tops of the waves sending salty spray high in the sky.
I wasn’t able to sleep with the devastation all around so I asked the seagulls for advice. One Legger was extra sweet and engaging hanging out in place with a twinkle in her eye. She said, “To survive, us seagulls have learned to stay focused on what I have that gives me strength. You see, I put my energy into my powerful leg and wings that hold me up.”
I met a new seagull about a month ago in the evening. He was walking the beach with his wings out. He has since joined the flock. He is able to fly and walk even though he carries his wings out to the side.
The sunrise crew naked him Floppy got his floppy wings. Today I asked him his secret. He said, “Being a part of the flock is important for our survival but that doesn’t mean I can’t be unique. Sure I look different with my wings out but this is what works for me. Adapting is necessary to thrive.”
Wishing you a lovely day friends!
One Legger
Introducing Floppy
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Reunited and it feels so good!
Tales from the Lagoon~ Episode - Reunited and It Feels So Good!
I met the dolphin I call Momma at the end of 2017 but t the time didn’t know she was a female. She was easy to spot because of a deep rope entanglement scar near her blow hole. When she showed up in June 2018 with a baby I knew she was a female.
I named her first baby Indy after the Indian River Lagoon. In the last year I met her second baby I call river. Momma is the first female dolphin to spend time just hanging out a few feet away. She is kind and very patient and a really good athlete.
It was that June when Uncle Larry came in with Momma and Indy. Last week was the first time since them I have seen the two of them together! It was like old times, rolling around, playing together with jagger and the other dolphins.
When they weren’t rolling around they were all catching fish, snapper, mullet and big redfish. In the 4 1/2 years I’ve been in the water with the dolphins, I’ve never seen eh dolphin eat so many redfish as I did the two weeks leading up tot he hurricane. My guess is they knew conditions were going to be rough for a few days and a sloppy mess afterward so they knew to belly up to the buffet to give them strength.
Stay tuned for more tales!
A whooper of a redfish!
Momma- you can see her rope entanglement scar from 2017
Self care is the foundation for everything
As my feet hit the sand and saw the golden rays of light meeting into the blue sky my entire body relaxed and felt peaceful. With the water being warmer that the cool air, steam was coming off the ocean looking life sparkles of light floating up.
The flock of seagulls flew in to chat and hang out. Not much bathing today with the breeze being so chilly for us birds.
Pelican Highway had heavy traffic heading both directions riding the the burgundy colored waves. Pink sparkles were blowing off the top of the perfectly formed tubes.
Ozzie and Harriett, a pigeon couple were hanging outside their boat house after sunrise. These two are truly love birds who love to kiss. They have raised many kids in their boat. They nest deep in the pontoon and often go for boat rides staying completely dry!
This morning they bring us the message of self care. As they were taking moments of quiet, shaking off the dirt and pulling out old feathers they said, “When you are not sure what to do, go back to the basics. Self care is the foundation for everything, take a few minutes to close your eyes, quiet your mind and just be. You will be surprised how that minute can reset your systems.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Even in sadness there will always be good in the world
With a cool breeze blowing the tops of the waves and cool temperatures, the morning felt like fall is visiting. The flock of seagulls flew in hot and chatty. I say split foot and a few others who have returned in the past few days.
I asked the seagulls their secret to life and they said, “We believe in keeping our wings and hearts open, even when it seems easier to close up.”
The warm sun came up filling the morning with golden light and hope for a new day. After sunrise Pip and Patches the Pelicans flew in as soon as I was in the river. Pip stayed for a while so we could catch up.
He said, “I was anxious and on edge about 6 days before the hurricane because I knew It was coming. Now I can relax and rebuild with food and rest.”
I said to him, “I could see you getting blown around in the wind, were you scared?” He said, “I didn’t have time to be afraid, I had to use all my energy to be in the moment, aware of all the elements and do what I could each moment to survive.”
On a personal note, I have lived in florida my whole life and have seen many storms.
What I appreciate about the storms is how they unify us. We hunker down together, we support each other, we are generous and helpful, we love unconditionally. Despite our differences, we come together with love, compassion and support. It’s truly a beautiful thing to witness.
"Even in sadness, There will Always be Good in the World.” ~ Roy Desjarlais
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Split foot is back!
Pip the pelican!
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode Pip, Patches and Spot talk about hurricanes
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Pip, Patches and Spot Talk About Hurricanes
Hi everyone! It’s me Pip the Pelican. Shelley said people were asking about me so thought I’d say hello and let you know I am doing well.
One of the photos is of my friend Spot the egret. I think he thought it would be a good idea to grab some sticks and make a bunker for the storm. Not sure that will work, good thing he has strong legs and feet to hold on to a branch.
This past week I have been a bit skittish and a little edgy. I felt the hurricane coming about 6 days ago. Shelley asked, “Pip, Are you going toe ok during the storm? We won’t be able to see each other.”
I told her us birds know what to do. It’s in our DNA to hunker down and wait it out. We feed like crazy before the storm, also grabbing snacks if there is a lull. Just before this post I was hanging out on a wall near the lagoon with Patches, my pelican bestie. The water is rising so we will have to move soon, but I am safe and sound.
In the past 10 days, I’ve been hanging out a lot with Patches. She has white spots on her head showing she is maturing. Sometimes she likes to act like she knows everything but I just grab her with my beak and she stops, you know a gentle bite. She likes Shelley too, which makes me grumpy. Shelley talks to me about sharing but I’m not so sure about that yet.
Anyway, I’ll be back in touch once the storm passes to let you know Patches and I are safe.
Stay tuned!
That’s me Pip flying in to see my Hooman
That’s Patches my bird bestie
That’s me leaving my Hooman
That’s me diving for snacks
That’s Spot the egret
Dolphin Hurricane Party
Tales from the Lagoon Episode - Hurricane Party Dolphin Style
Yesterday afternoon during a light rain storm a maternity pod came into the lagoon to play and grab hurricane snacks. This pod had 2 males, Uncle Larry and Jagger, a momma and a youngin.’
The baby was quite the spitfire! S/he was zooming around following the adults and playing with mangrove seeds (Propagules) for an hour! This little one had the adults on the move because she was all over the place exploring and playing. She was learning to slap her tail and was surprisingly fast.
Uncle Larry and Jagger were chasing redfish when the mom and baby were nursing. At one point Uncle Larry showed his playful side, coming up to me fast, turning right in front of me sending up a wall of water with his tail. Definitely the splash zone! When he swam away he had a redfish in his mouth.
I think this momma is the dolphin I cal Charlie. I wasn’t sure if Charlie was a male or female until today when she brought in her baby. The baby needs a name, any suggestions?
It’s been a great week with Uncle Larry and jagger, more from them, Pip the pelican, and other characters on the way!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Playful baby
Uncle Larry getting ready to toss a redfish
The big toss
Jagger with a fish
Uncle Larry and the baby
Baby with a mangrove seed ( Propagule)
Momma and the baby
Worry is like giving someone a wet blanket
Ahhhh, the calm before the storm. A calm ocean and light breeze along with a soft moody blues color show brought us a serene start to the day.
So many characters out grabbing breakfast before our 3 days of rain and wind. The flock os seagulls was large and flowing together. They said, "Our secret to preparing for a storm is to fill up on shrimp and fish so we have the energy to hunker down. We also like being squeaky clean since we will flock together for safety and no-one likes a stinky bird.”
A gorgeous reddish egret was grabbing snacks from the shallows also prepping for the storm while Pelican Highway cruised southbound over the waves.
After sunrise, the marina characters were all out too, including a herd of manatees enjoying floating down the river while smooching and snuggling. They said, “Yes a storm is coming but we can’t control the weather so we are savoring our time together while the water is calm.”
We probably won’t have a sunrise again for a few days. I have plenty of Tales from the Lagoon to share as long as we have power.
I ask that instead of worry, please see everyone in the path of the storm as safe and sound. The energy of worry is much like giving a cold person a wet blanket. Let’s keep the vibe high for everyone.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Slow down to see clearly
Pink rays of light jetted into the sky at first light. A soft breeze and churning ocean added to the ambiance of the morning.
The seagulls were feeling frisky and a bit jumpy darting off and flying back just to dart off again. 2 seagulls looked like a couple F18’s from Top Gun as they performed acrobatic maneuvers in a high speed chase over breakfast.
Pelican highway was slapping on the brakes again today to grab snacks. It seems the wildlife is intensely grabbing snacks before the rain and wind starts from the hurricane, reminding us to plan ahead.
The seagulls who were not grabbing snacks were enjoying bath time. One of them peeking through her feathers in slow motion said, “When I slow down I can see through the blur and find clarity. I can see things in a different light by taking time to just be."
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Open to love and light
Mother Nature brought us a dramatic and dynamic ever changing sunrise filled with every color in the crayon box. The color show started with a pink and purple pastel show, ending with a blue and golden glow.
Heart opening streaming light filled my heart with peace. It started with one beam of light poking through the clouds, then a few minutes later a few more and by the end several beams of light streamed thought the clouds giving us a hopeful vibe.
The flock of seagulls flew in chatty and a bit on edge, easily scattered. They stayed for a short bath time before dashing off as a group.
Pelican Highway traffic was heavy heading southbound. All of a sudden they slammed on the brakes and dropped into the ocean to grab breakfast.
They said, “We bring the message of trusting when to stop and change directions. For us, being open to quick changes is how we survive. Flexibility is one of our superpowers.”
Wishing you a day filled with love and light!
