Balance for overall health
Ahhhh a serene and soothing sunrise to start off Sunday. The pre sunrise clouds soaked up the pink color reflecting on the wet sand. A chatty flock was already at the edge of the shore when I arrived ready to connect and get squeaky clean. When the sun came up, it filled the sky with a golden glow. The energy felt hopeful and extra calming.
The lagoon was busting after sunrise with a huge pod of dolphins bellied up tot the mullet buffet. Momma Bump and her calf were among the feeding frenzy. She said, “I recommend spontaneous fun with balanced quiet time just hanging with your pod. You see, balance is an important part of overall health.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Momma Bumb and her calf
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode 35 Second Video~ A Day in the Lagoon
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode 35 Second Video~ A Day in the Lagoon
The first 2 clips are of Cutter and the flock of pelicans chasing mullet. I was pretty deep and the waves Indian River was choppy, giving you the feel of being right there in the mix. Wait until the end for the dramatic finish!
song is The Greatest Adventure by Yair Chesler Purchased on Artlist.io
Stay tuned for more tales!
Remain open even when feeling ragged
Mother Nature brought us another buttery golden sunrise today. With no wind to stir the air, the morning felt peaceful and soothing—just what my nervous system needed to restore a sense of calm.
The chatty flock arrived early, full of chatter. They shared, “Yes, we squabble—but in the end, we know that floating together and lifting each other up is how we survive and thrive.”
Shortly after sunrise, a solo pelican glided by, his wings open wide and catching the reflective light.
He said, “I’ve lost a few feathers along the way. I may look a bit ragged, but I’m here to remind you—stay open. Keep your wings and your heart open, ready to connect, even when you feel stressed.”
Wishing you a a beautiful day friends!
Embrace your unique self
Ahhhh, Mother Nature brought us a soft and calming sunrise to start the day. It was similar to yesterday starting out grey and white with a hint of pink until the sun came up streaming golden light.
A very chatty and large flock of laughing gulls, herring gulls and ruddy turnstones flew in looking beautiful around the sun. The laughing gulls are getting their mating colors ready to head north.
One of the gulls with a one red and black foot said, “Dare to be different. Go ahead, embrace your unique self. Be bold and let the world see your authentic self.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Fancy Feet
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Breakfast in the Lagoon
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Breakfast in the Lagoon
Just after sunrise, the lagoon was bustling with life! Ospreys, cormorants, pelicans, and dolphins all gathered to feast at the mullet buffet.
The cormorants, bold and fearless, swam right into the school of fish—even as the dolphins were feeding. Their bravery paid off, rewarding them with a feast of their own, scoring multiple fish.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Dig Deep to get the crabs out
Mother Nature brought us a grey and white pre sunrise with just a small hint of pink. Once the sun was up, a buttery golden glow filled the sky, streaming light bringing us a hopeful start to a new day.
A small but chatty flock flew in to enjoy bath time and soak in the sun. After sunrise the lagoon was bustling with life. So many characters grabbing breakfast, more from them soon.
An immature ibis was digging for breakfast and hit the jackpot—a crab buffet. The ibis said, “I’m here to encourage you to dig deep to get the crabs out. Sometimes they’re buried deep, but trust me, once you get them out, you’ll feel better. Happy digging!”
Wishing you a beautiful day!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Immature ibis with a crab
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Cutter a Male Dolphin
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Cutter a Male Dolphin
Cutter has been in the lagoon a lot the last week. Even when his pod mates leave, he stays and enjoys relaxing, grabbing snacks and teasing the pelicans.
He has a really fun personality. He seems to be the one who initiates snuggle time by turning on his side and waiting for his friend to come play.
The dorsal fin is like their fingerprint- that how they are identified. He has quite a few cuts making him easy to identify- and how he got his name.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Self care makes you look and feel beautiful
Mother Nature welcomed April with a pretty-in-pink springtime sunrise. Gentle waves rolled toward shore, calling to the surfers to come play.
As the sun rose, it kissed the ocean on its way up, casting a golden glow to the pink glow ready to brighten the day. A few laughing gulls and herring gulls, still lingering in town, gathered for their morning bath.
One laughing gull flapped in the water said, “I highly recommend taking time for self-care. I love the feeling of getting the bugs off—just look how pretty I am doing it! You see, self-care makes you look and feel beautiful while washing away stress.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Your energy sends out ripples
With an overcast sky—a mix of fog, fifty shades of grey, and a dash of pretty in pink—the sunrise was wet and cozy. The chatty flock had already gathered at the ocean’s edge, ready for their morning bath.
The misty air and soft light gave the morning a soothing embrace, a gentle way to ease into the week with a sense of peace.
In a nearby pond, a duck glided effortlessly across the water, sending ripples outward. She seemed to whisper, “I am a reminder to nurture and support yourself. As you follow your intuition and move forward, your energy sends ripples to those around you.”
Be the calm in the current for others.
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode-Dolphin Greeting
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode-Dolphin Greeting
This is Ocean, a dolphin I’ve known since 2019. I havent seen him in about 10 days.
He arrived in the lagoon from the north with his pod, swam over to say hello, and then as you will see he joined the pod and they headed south.
It’s always an honor when they take a moment to connect. Truly an honor!
Stay tuned for more tales!
It was an overcast sunrise today….so skipping that post today.
Support and nurture yourself
Wrapped in a blanket of soft white clouds, the sunrise felt cozy and calming. A golden glow stretched across the horizon as the sun emerged, offering us a fresh start to a new day.
A small flock was already at the edge of the ocean when I arrived, more flew in from the ocean to join in watching the sunrise.
After sunrise, a duck was paddling around the pool quacking to whoever wanted to listen. Eventually he got out, stood on the side and the pool and give himself a really good shake. A few minutes later an egret appeared (not Spot the egret) to enjoy a little early morning pool time.
The duck said, “Today is the day of the solar eclipse. It is ushering in a powerful new beginning. I’m here to say, take time to support and nurture yourself. Trust yourself to know how to navigate the waters of life. If you feel overwhelmed, a little time in a pool or salt water is always good therapy.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
A chatty Duck
Duck gives himself a good shake
An egret joining the duck
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Breakfast With the Boys
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Breakfast With the Boys
Cutter, a male dolphin started off the morning by zipping into the north end of the lagoon and scoring a fish in front of the New Smyrna Police boat.
He was jumped out of the water with a mullet before leaving to get his friends and return. He returned after 20 minutes with Jasper, Daniko and a couple ofter males who enjoyed snacking under the dock. A fun morning with the boys!
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS~ Friday sunrise is previous post
Cutter zooming toward his fish
Cutter gets his fish
Cutter grabs a mullet
Jasper gives a pelican a boop
Then grabs a fish.
Use all your strengths to thrive
At first light, the sky filled with lavender clouds, turning to a vibrant pink then ending with a golden glow as the sun came up to greet the day. Rays of sunlight streamed through the clouds giving us a hopeful vibe to the morning.
A stingray looking for breakfast brings us the message today. She said, “I am here to encourage using all of your strengths. Like me, you have many. I have the ability to blend in and adapt. I can also sting with my barb when absolutely necessary, giving me the peace of mind I am protected and able to stand up to threats. I am also very sensitive, able to know which way to go by trusting my instincts.”
Wishing you beautiful day friends!
Gratitude to raise your vibe
When I saw the huge sliver of a moon in the sky surrounded by the pink first light, it took my breath away. The pastel colors turned to a golden orange glow as the almost new moon faded away in the light blue sky.
A small and chatty flock flew in early ready to usher in a new day with a bath. While getting squeaky clean, an osprey with breakfast flew by screeching it’s excitement over the catch.
She said, “Celebrate! Remember to honor your wins- big and small. Especially during this powerful new moon period, gratitude is a way to raise your energy and welcome even more abundance into your life.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: How Did This Photographer Get Here?
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: How Did This Photographer Get Here?
Fun Facts:
I never, ever feed the dolphins.
I never, ever touch the dolphins.
When you see my hand out, that is one of the ways I communicate with them—it is not to touch them.
They have never touched me, though they have come within inches.
If you’re just tuning in, this story has been unfolding for over eight years.
It all began with a dream in April 2017. My late husband came to me and said, “I want you to have a Canon professional camera.” Two weeks later, I bought one. I was hooked—he knew it would breathe life back into me.
Then, in February 2018, I had another dream. This time, I was in the water at sunset, photographing orcas. When I woke up, I had an undeniable urge to get in the Indian River at sunset and see what would unfold. That evening, three dolphins appeared, and I captured their tails against the glowing orange water—just like in my dream.
Curious, I returned the next morning with no expectations. I stayed on the periphery, watching as the dolphins swam in. I snapped photos of them tossing fish into the air. Excited, I went back again. And again. And again—almost daily since 2018.
Over time, certain dolphins began to approach and just simply hang out. Then, in July 2018, something remarkable happened. A male dolphin, one I had seen often since February, was speeding toward me, chasing mullet. I thought to myself, " I should back up." But then I heard, "Don’t move, I’ll turn." So I stood still. He rushed in, grabbed the fish and turned on a dime just a few feet away and I snapped the moment.
One high-tide day, I waded in as far as I could without getting my camera wet. The pod was in the middle of the river, leaping and playing with seaweed on their noses, full of joy. Then, to my surprise, they swam toward me, circling and even passing behind me in the shallows. They stayed for hours catching fish, snuggling and relaxing. That was the moment I knew—I had been accepted into this pod.
At the time, I wasn’t sure if this connection would extend to other pods, but to my delight, it has. Needless to say, I have countless stories and thousands of photos.
One last thing:
I am also a CranioSacral Therapist, a practice that involves blending with the client’s energy and allowing their body to guide the treatment. I use the same approach in the water—I tune in, blend in, and position myself in a way that respects their space. Then, I wait. If they choose to engage or pose for a photo, it is always on their terms.
I never know what will happen, and that’s the beauty of it. The dolphins continue to show me things I could never have imagined.
Here is a drone video form a drone perspective showing the dolphin interacting.
https://youtu.be/ZLbLX6Xtv0Q...
This is a another drone video showing the playful interaction.
https://youtu.be/2FLS5JH1CrQ...
Stay tuned for more tales!
Videos are from Focal Point Videography.
Sunrise for Wednesday is previous post
Ride the energy waves with your flock
Wow, what a serene and gorgeous sunrise! At first light, the almost-new moon hung over the ocean, bathed in a golden glow. Clouds gathered on the horizon, forming shapes in the soft morning light—one even looked like a Yeti, striding across the sky.
Before the sun emerged from behind the clouds, it cast a radiant golden lining around them, a breathtaking moment of anticipation.
Today’s message comes from the almost-new moon and the upcoming solar eclipse. New moons usher in fresh energy, but when paired with a solar eclipse, that energy is magnified.
The sun and moon said, "Use the new moon eclipse to release what no longer serves you, so the new can emerge with ease. This is a powerful time to manifest a new direction—all you have to do is let go and ride the waves of energy."
Floating nearby, a pair of pelicans added their wisdom, ”The energy may feel confusing and emotionally overwhelming, we find that the buddy system brings comfort and connection."
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Golden lining
Yeti walking in the horizon
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- BIGGIE Bluefish Breakfast
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- Bluefish Breakfast
This morning after sunrise, a pod of dolphins cruised into the lagoon.
For a while, they floated peacefully, completely relaxed.
Then, Ridges—one of my familiar dolphin friends—swam over, lifted his head, and seemed to say, “Get ready, we’re going for breakfast.” A split second later, the pod exploded into action, chasing down a massive bluefish to my right.
After the catch, they swam right over to the camera. The dolphin with the fish took it in his mouth, and heaved it into the air! What a whopper of a fish week it has been!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Use the buddy system and loosen your grip
The waning moon shone brightly in the pre-dawn sky as I made my way to the beach. With no wind to stir the air, the morning felt still and serene. The ocean, as calm as a lake, made it easy to spot the dolphins gliding effortlessly through the water.
It wasn’t until the loud, chatty flock swooped in for bath time that the morning seemed to truly awaken.
Today’s message comes from an unlikely trio—the squirrel, the dolphins, and the moon—all offering wisdom as we approach this weekend’s solar eclipse.
The squirrel, casually holding his nut, said, “Relax into the waves of energy coming your way. Don’t hold your nuts too tight—no need to worry, you have plenty.”
The dolphins chimed in with their own advice, “Use the buddy system when you need support. Swimming side by side is a great way to share the adventure.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Loosen your grip…
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - The Need For Speed!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - The Need For Speed!
This is Jasper, a male dolphin showing off his strength! Look for the whopper of a fish jumping.
If you don't already know, I stand in the river photographing the dolphins, so the waves and wind made this video quite bumpy!
Song is Aluminum by Roie Shpigler purchased on Artlist.io
Stay tuned for more tales!