Slow and steady, savor the moment & Trust
Ahhhh, Another stunning and soothing sunrise today. A vibrant pink sky started the day 30 minutes before sunrise morphing into an dreamy orange sherbet glow as the sun rose to greet the day.
The flock was chatty reminding us to keep our hearts and wings open to soak up the beauty. Wet sand mirrored the sky art adding to the heart open. A superman cloud floated in the sky said, "Happy Father's Day to all the dads!"
After sunrise, a box turtle strolling down the side of the street with his head stretched way out feeling the nice breeze. He said, “I’m a reminder to enjoy the journey. Slow and steady gives me the opportunity to savor the sweetness of each moment. Not to worry, what is meant for you will never pass you by.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Hearts and wings open soaking up the beauty
Superman cloud
Stretch says Hi!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Mom Gives Baby a Lift
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - Mom Gives Baby a Lift
Oh my heart! I asked Momma Sarabi if she could show me the baby's belly so we can know the gender. A minute later this happened. Not enough to know the gender but plenty to melt my heart. Stay tuned for the full episode!
Your sensitivity is your super power
With a mix of salty fog and Sahara dust, the morning felt both ethereal and cozy. The chatty flock was already busy getting squeaky clean by the time I arrived.
High in the blue sky, the full moon lingered as the sun rose to greet the day. As the light grew, it cast a warm copper glow across the water.
A solo dolphin glided through the copper-glazed waves, searching for breakfast. Close to shore, a stingray joined in the morning ritual, sweeping the sand for snacks.
The stingray said “Your sensitivity is a superpower. Your spidey senses make you strong and resilient—trust them to know when to move forward and when to hunker down.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
stingray
Tales from the lagoon~Episode~A Glimpse Into A Maternity Pod 90 seconds
Tales from the lagoon~Episode~A Glimpse Into A Maternity Pod 90 seconds
The day began with Momma Sarabi and her baby enjoying some quiet time in the lagoon—just the two of them for about 45 minutes. They were nursing, catching a few mullet and simply relaxing together.
Soon after, several other moms and their calves swam in, and Sarafina got very excited! S/he started popping out of the water like popcorn.
A maternity pod usually consists of nursing moms and their young calves. Maternity pods are female-led and centered around caregiving, learning, and protection.
This 90-second clip offers a glimpse into what it’s like to spend time with the pod. You’ll see Sarafina popping out of the water a lot while the older kiddos and adults snuggle close or float peacefully in the gentle rain.
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS ~Thursday sunrise is previous post
Full moon helps up aim high
A magical sunrise with the full moon setting as the sun came up to greet the day. The chatty flock was in a tide pool getting squeaky clean when I arrived. A pink glow filled the sky with soft clouds soaking up the colors of the new day.
The message today comes rom the Strawberry full moon. This moon invites a time of heartfelt reflection, gratitude, and emotional clarity.
The man in the moon said, “Use my energy to help release what no longer serves you and embrace the sweetness of the season with renewed trust in your path. I have a special connection to Jupiter asking you to aim high, believe in yourself and your dreams.”
After sunrise a mom duck and her 2 ducklings were in the pool enjoying a peaceful swim. They said, “If the energy of the moon feels intense, take a time out, especially in or near water to help you integrate the energy.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Mom and her 2 kiddos
Siblings
Tales from the Lagoon~Episode-Baby Dolphin Photoshoot- Part 2
Tales from the Lagoon~Episode-Baby Dolphin Photoshoot- Part 2
Yesterday after sunrise Momma Sarabi and her new baby came into the lagoon for some alone time to nurse and play.
Check out the size difference of the dorsal fins, how cute is that?!
I have met 2 of her previous calves, Simba and Nana, they are full of fun but this little nugget is on fire! I haven’t seen the belly yet to know the gender but s/he was posing for photos like a pro!
Usually a new baby will stay right next to the mom but not this one, s/he was always in front of momma which helped me to know where to aim the camera.
Momma was on board with the photoshoot, several times she gave the baby a boost to get out of the water in front of the camera!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Know your angels are near even if they are out of sight
Ahhhhh... As soon as my feet touched the sand, my whole body relaxed, soaking in the soft swirl of pink and white clouds above. The chatty flock flew in, ready for squeaky clean bath time and a breakfast search party.
As the sun rose, a small boat zipped beneath it, catching golden spray in its wake. It reminded me of the lyric by Lee Ann Womack: “I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean.”
On my way off the beach, I was greeted by 3 messengers—a male cardinal playing peek-a-boo,—a momma squirrel standing tall,—and a reflective duck couple floating side by side.
Together, they bring us today’s message, “Know your angel loved ones are near—maybe just out of sight. Allow quiet moments of reflection to bring calm, clarity and messages to you. And channel your inner momma squirrel—stand tall, stay grounded, and know… you’ve got this.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon~Episode-Baby Dolphin Photoshoot~Part 1
Tales from the Lagoon~Episode-Baby Dolphin Photoshoot~Part 1
This morning after sunrise Momma Sarabi and her latest newborn came into the lagoon to enjoy breakfast and play. This is the baby I posted recently showing the fetal bands, letting us know this nugget is very young.
I’ve known Sarabi since 2019, today she and her baby posed for several photos. Baby Sarafina was trying with all his/her might to climb on top of mom, rolling around on top of momma then giving a big kick and jumping out of the water! Those photos are coming in the next episode.
Momma Sarabi even gave the baby a few nudges to get him/her airborne. The love and bond between these 2 is unmistakable. Truly an honor to witness the connection.
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS- Tuesday sunrise is previous post
Are you getting the photo?
I love my Mom!
Isn’t my mom the best?
Trust the path, even if it feels uncharted
The sky filled with a soft pink glow as my feet hit the wet sand from rain the night before. The chatty flock had already gathered at the ocean’s edge, watching the beauty of the morning come to life.
When the sun rose, it looked otherworldly—then transformed into a glowing golf ball, teed up for a perfect hole-in-one.
Today’s message comes from a wide-eyed ghost crab. He said, “I’m good at moving in every direction. Don’t worry if you feel like you’re stepping sideways or even backwards—it’s all part of the journey to reach your destination. Trust the path, even if it feels uncharted.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Ghost Crab
Tales from the lagoon ~ Episode - A Very Strong Mom Dolphin
Tales from the lagoon ~ Episode - A Very Strong Mom Dolphin
Momma Dalia who I call Momma Bump because she has a slight bump on her dorsal fin. She is a powerful dolphin who is also kind, gentle and a good mom. She has had 5 calves! She is very attentive and loving with her kiddos.
She is the kind of woman who will bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never let you forget she’s a woman! Anyone else remember that? She holds her own with the boys, she catches mullet like a pro and loves her kiddos fiercely.
Today, one of the pelicans grabbed a fish she wanted….she was not pleased with the pelican, she came up almost sunder the pelicans let out a powerful exhale while giving the pelican a boop. The message was clear. The pelican gave her a little space for about a minute then got back in there.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Momma Bump gives pelican a bump for stealing her fish :)
Mom and kiddo
Play to shift your mood
Ahhhhh, the Sahara Sand brings us another serene start to the day with a calm ocean and soft colors before the golden ball of light came up to greet the day.
A mom and baby dolphin were playing when I reached the edge of the ocean. The baby looked like s/he was learning to surf! The baby said, “No matter your age, bring your younger self out to play! Play has the power to shift your mood.”
A solo pelican had the same idea, gliding off Pelican Highway to enjoy the waves while looking for breakfast.
When the sun finally crested the horizon, it cast a warm golden glow across the ocean, wrapping the morning in magic.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Baby dolphin surfing
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - New Baby and Momma Sarabi
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - New Baby and Momma Sarabi
Heart melting little nugget who still has fetal bands from being scrunched up in Momma Sarabi who is also doing well! You can hear the baby breathing
Stay tuned for more tales!
Receiving support is a gift
Ahhhh, the perfect sunrise to calm the nervous system with a calm ocean and a beautiful color show, courtesy of the Sahara Dust.
As the sun came up, it was a soft pink that grew into a bight golden ball of ight filling the morning with warmth. The flock of gulls was getting squeaky clean as the sun came up while skimmers flew by carrying breakfast on the fly.
Pelican Highway cruised southbound over the waves reminding us to grab your wing person and enjoy the journey together.
A royal tern with bands flew in after sunrise to join the laughing gulls. She said, “My bands say I am from Georgia where I was in the hospital. I’m a reminder that receiving help is a gift. I highly recommend opening to receiving support, it makes the journey fell a little sweeter.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Royal Tern from Georgia
Skimmers flying above obis with breakfast on the fly
Dig deep and play
Mother Nature brought us a magical morning with a stunning sunrise and a baby dolphin playing with its momma in the waves!
The chatty flock was already at the edge of the ocean when I arrived. The reflection of the pink and purple clouds surrounding Venus was breathtaking. Then the dolphins started swimming by!
A baby and mom were rolling around in the waves snuggling. The baby had the zoomies, popping out of the water. Another couple dolphins played and surfed the waves in front of the sun.
I’ve been photographing the sunrise since 2017 and have never seen a flock of Ibis in the ocean at the start of the day. The ibis encourage us to dig in to find our goal. And the baby dolphin said, “When it feels hard, play!” A balance of the two will help you feel balanced too!
Wishing you a happy day!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Ps- check out newborn dolphin in previous post
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Please Welcome a New Baby!!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Please Welcome a New Baby!!
Over the last month, I’ve shared several posts about Sarabi, a female dolphin who has been spending a lot of time alone—and eating lots of mullet. Now we know why…
She had a baby!
I first met Momma Sarabi in April 2019 when her calf, Simba playfully made himself known by splashing my camera. He was definitely a male. Her second calf, Nala, arrived in the spring of 2023.
And today, I had the great honor of meeting her third calf since 2019.
Keeping with the Lion King theme, maybe this little one will be named Sarafina?
In some of the photos, you’ll notice the baby has faint stripes—these are called fetal bands. When babies are born they have lighter colored bands spanning their mid section. They’re caused by being curled up in the womb and typically slough off after multiple weeks.
What a joy to witness this new life in the Indian River lagoon!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Highlights from Shelley Lynch Photography
Good Morning!
The sunrise was gorgeous today, but my cameras had a mind of their own and decided to take the day off. Hopefully they choose to work tomorrow!
So instead, I thought it was the perfect moment to share a 60-second video that highlights who I am and what I do. Thank you all for your continued support and connection.
Drone footage is from Brent Eite with Focal Point Videography
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode Momma B Shows her Athleticism
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode Momma B Shows her Athleticism
This morning after sunrise, it was still overcast when Momma Bump and Momma D came into the lagoon with their kiddos.
While Momma D nursed her little one, Momma Bump who’s calf is older, enjoyed chasing mullet with a solo pelican. Check out the height Momma gets in the shallows.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Cloudy day sunrise
Yesterday, we enjoyed a cloudy pastel sunrise this morning. Enjoy a calming 70 second video showing the calm ocean, soft colors and flock of friends.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- I Never Thought It Would Be Like This
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode- I Never Thought It Would Be Like This
If you're just tuning in, Tales From the Lagoon began after a powerful dream where I saw myself standing in the Indian River Lagoon—half in the water, half out—photographing orcas at sunset. That dream changed everything.
In February 2018, during a golden sunset, I stepped into the water with my camera and began photographing dolphins from the lagoon. It was the beginning of a journey that taught me more than I ever imagined.
Then came a turning point on November 14, 2019.
It was high tide, and the dolphins were having what I can only describe as a seaweed party. They were flying from the water with strands of seaweed draped over their rostrums, tossing it through the air with pure delight. Their playful energy was contagious. They were further out than I’d ever ventured, but something in me said go. So I waded into deeper waters, ready to capture the fun.
Before I knew it, the pod surrounded me—led by the very first momma dolphin I had ever met. They splashed, danced, and offered incredible photo opportunities as if they knew exactly what they were doing. It felt like a warm welcome, an invitation into their world.
Since that day, more dolphins have joined the story. Many seem to enjoy the lens, even striking poses that feel like pure collaboration. I truly believe they understand that together, we are spreading smiles and happiness.
I never knew I could feel this way, so honored, so very grateful.
This video is of 4 dolphins who I have known since 2019
Stay tuned for more tales!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
PS ~ Monday Sunrise is previous post
Go past the familiar to discover a new world
With Sahara dust arriving from the Sahara Desert in North Africa, the sunrise was extra beautiful. The calm ocean glistened with the various pastel colors making it easy to spot the dolphins searching for breakfast.
When the sun came up mixing with the dust, the clouds and colors looked like we were transported to another world.
I was very excited when one came close to shore. I recognized it is the dolphin I call Razor! The authorities say the Indian River dolphin only venture on the Atlantic Ocean for day trips and the ocean dolphins stay in the ocean. So, seeing Razor enjoying a sunrise ocean swim was certainly a bonus!
Razor brings the message of exploring. He said, “Go ahead color outside the lines. Sometimes the best parts of life begin where the familiar ends. Be willing to step beyond your usual path—you might just discover a whole new world waiting for you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
The dolphin I call Razor enjoying an ocean swim