Utilize the elements
With whipping winds of 15–25 mph, the morning felt invigorating! The ocean churned as the sky came alive with soft pastels, soon giving way to a golden glow as the sun crept upward. The wet sand reflected the shifting colors and clouds, transporting us to a mystical place between earth and sky.
A small flock arrived late, darting back and forth before finally pausing to connect. They said, “Embrace the elements around you. Instead of resisting, allow the elements to hold and support you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Trust your inner compass
The wind is whipping and the rain is pouring here in “sunny” Florida. Since sunrise is hiding today, I thought I’d share one of my favorite Mom Turtles I’ve had the honor of witnessing on her journey. Truly inspiring.
She reminds us that sometimes the path forward looks long and possibly daunting. Momma Turtle said, “Dig deep, you are strong and supported. Trust your inner compass and keep moving forward, not to worry if you need to pause for rest. You got this!”
If you haven’t seen her full journey, you can watch the video on Youtube through the link below. It’s a beautiful reminder of strength, persistence, and the magic of nature.
https://youtu.be/39NK9u5v31I...
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Trust the inner changes
The morning started with a grey white palette, with just a hint of pink before the sun came up brining with a golden glow and an uplifting vibe.
The flock flew in leading with their hearts, wings open ready to soak up the sunlight. The ocean churned sending white salty spray in the air.
After sunrise, a butterfly appeared, its orange and black wings glowing brightly against the green bush.
The butterfly said, “I’m a reminder of transformation. I’m a reminder to surrender to any inner changes. Trust the metamorphosis is happening even when you feel a lull. What i know for sure is, the end result is quite beautiful.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
PS~ Check out previous post to see calednars coming for 2026
Lead with your heart
Gull Fritillary - Butterfly
2026 CALENDARS
The calendars are ready to go to the printer! I’ll have more details coming soon….You will have 2 options again this year, SUNRISE & SUNSET or WILDLIFE
Safety of friends and clearing space for the new
With a soft breeze and blue and white colors, the pre-sunrise was calming and soothing. The beauty reflecting on the wet sand helped my nervous system settle by matching the stillness.
The chatty flock was gone yesterday to avoid the storm but back today, ready for bath time and some much-needed self-care.
Many of the birds, including One Legger, were napping in the safety of the flock. One Legger said, “We feel safe enough to relax when we are together. This time if year we are very tired, please run into us when we are gathered."
Another gull, pulling out old feathers, chimed in saying, “Molting is our version of transformation. Pulling out feathers to make room for new growth can be a bit sticky. I’m here to remind you that even when letting go of the old feels hard, stay the course- you are clearing space for the new.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
One Legger resting in the safety of the flock
Pull out the old feathers clearing space for the new
Don’t feed distractions
At first light the shrimp boats were lit up on the horizon under the red sky. From there Mother Nature used every crayon in the box mixing them together giving us a cornucopia of colors.
The flock flew in before sunrise loud and chatty ready for bathtime. Getting the bugs never felt so good. A chatty flock of royal terns joined the laughing gulls and were deep in conversation.
On the way off the beach a ghost crab was hanging just outside it’s home. The crab said, "I am a reminder that sometimes in life we need to go sideways or even backwards to move forward."
He also seemed unfazed by the ants crawling on him so I asked him about it. His said, "Distractions only hold the power we allow, and when we stop feeding them, they lose their grip.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Royal terns
Crab seemed unfazed by the ants on him
One step at a time
The soft white and pink rays of light jetting into the blue sky were breathtaking this morning. The flock was back in full force, splashing in bath time and frolicking across the glassy wet sand.
One of the gulls walking by said, “When things feel a bit overwhelming, take it one step at a time. You see slowing and enjoying the moment takes all the pressure off.”
As the sun rose higher from behind the clouds, a pair of dolphins swam southbound just beyond the waves. They paused to pop up and share their message of spontaneous connection, “Be open to unexpected interactions and playful moments, sometimes the best things happen unplanned.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
www.shelleylynchphotos.com
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode – Mullet Madness & Redfish
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode – Mullet Madness & Redfish
It was one of those days where I didn’t know where to point the camera!
Uncle Larry, Jagger, 2 male dolphins with a mom, and her calf filled the lagoon with a full-on fish fest. Between snuggles and hang time, the boys, along with mom chased schools of mullet through the shallows with bursts of speed and tail slaps.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Lighthearted and Lean in
Ahhh… the pre-dawn sky opened with a pink funnel of light streaming upward like a searchlight of love.
The chatty flock began small, then grew as the sun rose — more gulls flew in to greet the day and enjoy bath time in the warm water.
Pelican Highway was bustling today, with traffic heading southbound. Some flew low, skimming the surface of the ocean, while others soared high, savoring the wide-open space.
My little laughing gull shadow followed me into the water, giving me a raspberry! His playful gesture was a reminder not to take life too seriously — laughter and lightheartedness are part of the journey.
Nearby, a white egret and a reddish egret stood together in the shallows. They unanimously agreed on today’s message,
“Lean in. Stay grounded through your feet while leaning toward your goal. It’s the balance of being present, yet light and ready for action. That is our secret to success.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Stand tall and soar
Ahhhhhhh… Mother Nature began the day with heart-opening pink rays streaming up into the sky. They lingered for nearly 20 minutes before gently fading, making way for the sun to rise big and bright.
The chatty flock was smaller today, among them was a great black-backed gull, the largest gull in the world.
He brings us the message, “I am a bird of confidence. I carry myself with an air of royalty, encouraging you to embody your own confidence. Regardless of your purpose, stand tall and let your light shine for all to see. You see, being your best self can shift those around you.”
As the sun climbed higher, the morning fog began to lift just as a rocket launched to the south, streaking upward like a glowing match high in the sky, reminding us that when you rise with confidence, you too can soar to new heights.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Hi! I’m Shelley’s Shadow
Bath time with friends
Hi!
Great black backed gull
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - A Day with Uncle Larry
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - A Day with Uncle Larry
When I first started photographing the dolphins, three stood out with numbers on their dorsal fins: 918, 910, and 968. I had never seen this before, so I called a friend in the dolphin world who connected with the original researcher.
It turns out, these dolphins were part of a health assessment back in 2004. The numbers on their dorsal fins are like a bird’s band on its foot — a way for scientists to track and study them. At that time, all three were healthy males.
One of them, 968, is the dolphin many of you now know as Uncle Larry. In 2004, he was estimated to be around 25 years old, which makes him about 46 years old today!
I first met Uncle Larry in 2018 when he swam into the lagoon with a mom and her calf. Since then, he has come and gone, always willing to pose for plenty of photos.
He and jagger along with a solo mom and calf have been in the lagoon 2 days this week. This video highlights his incredible athleticism and spirit, even at his mature age. And at the end, you’ll spot his best friend, Jagger, right alongside him.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Find your center
Pink rays of light streamed past the deep blue sky 40 minutes before sunrise, starting the morning with a heart-expanding vibe. The flock was already gathered at the edge of the ocean, ready for bath time, when I arrived.
Twice a gull scored a fish, each victory followed by a high-speed chase — their Top Gun maneuvers on full display as they outflew determined pursuers.
As the sun rose from behind a cloud on the horizon, the light glowed almost white, revealing a faint “sunbow” or halo on the right of the sun and a rainbow-colored shape on the left. To me, it looked like a person flying to the left across the sky — what do you see?
The sun halo brings a message of unity and hope. When it forms a full circle, it reminds us to return to our own center, finding balance and calm within, even when life feels bumpy. Like the halo itself, wholeness is always present — sometimes faint, sometimes bold — but always surrounding us.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
A faint rainbow - sunbow
If you can dream it, you can do it!
Holy Moly! This morning’s sunrise had it all — dramatic clouds, sunlight bursting from behind them, a rocket launch, the flock, and the powerful energy of a partial solar eclipse paired with the upcoming autumn equinox energy!
At first light, dark and brooding clouds stretched across the sky, slowly breaking apart to make way for brilliant beams of sunlight.
Our message today comes from the eclipse, solstice, and rocket launch. As the new moon darkens the sky and the solar eclipse briefly hides the sun, the equinox stands as a balancing point. Together they create a cosmic pause, between light and dark, past and future.
No matter where you are in the world, the equinox reminds us that we are all standing under the same sky, sharing this moment of cosmic harmony together.
It’s a powerful moment to plant the deepest seeds of your heart, trust in the unseen, and allow the returning light to guide you toward your next becoming.
The rocket launch on this auspicious morning reminds us that every dream begins as a thought, a daydream, or even a wild fantasy. Use your imagination today to dream boldly and launch what you most desire into reality.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Fresh Starts with help
With the waning crescent moon hanging in the sky, wrapped in soft clouds and sweet light, the pre-sunrise sky was pure magic.
Rays of pink light streamed over the moon and spilled across the sky. As the sun rose, it sent out warm golden rays while the ocean glistened with orange sparkles.
This morning the sunrise crew came together to help a tiny hatchling find support.
Safely in the hands of Beach Patrol, the wee one brings us today’s message, “I’m here to remind you that fresh starts are possible. Receive help when it comes your way. Embrace new beginnings, trust the unknown — you’ve got this.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Playful sunrise
I'm away from the sunrise today, back tomorrow. I thought some playful photos would be a great start to your Friday.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Snacks, Snuggles…..Repeat
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Snacks, Snuggles…..Repeat
Uncle Larry and Jagger, a male pair of inseparable best friends, escorted a few moms and their calves into the lagoon for a lunchtime gathering.
They feasted on mullet and redfish between playful snuggles and slow swims, turning the lagoon into their own lunchtime lounge.
The weather was moody — shifting from overcast to bursts of sunshine to a passing rain shower — but that only added to the fun. Nothing could stop this midday fiesta of snacks, snuggles, and good company!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Fins Up! Show me your belly!
Soak up the light, trust in the timing
I was at the beach before first light, enjoying the sliver of a moon, almost in perfect alignment with Jupiter and Venus. The glow on the horizon slowly grew until the sun rose from behind the clouds.
Our message today comes from the cosmos, the fish, and the flock. The planets and moon remind us that timing is a part of alignment — when people, places, and things come together, energy flows. They encourage us to trust the timing, even when we can’t yet see the full picture.
The fish gliding inside the wave and the flock dancing in the sun glow both encourage us to immerse ourselves in the sunlight. The fish teaches us to move with the current, trusting the unseen depths to guide us, while the flock reminds us to lift off and follow the light when it calls.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon~ Episode - In the Middle of Lunchtime
Tales from the Lagoon~ Episode - In the Middle of Lunchtime
This video will give you the feeling you are right there in the middle of the lunch time, because you are! Pelicans along with Daniko, a male dolphin are snacking on mullet
Stay tuned for more tales!
Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Be Grounded and light
As I walked to the beach, the sky was full of stars and the moon, glowing softly in a blue and pink as dawn began to bloom. The colors shifted gracefully — from pink, blue, and lavender to soft white streaming light — before the horizon turned a golden glow, wrapping the morning in warmth.
The moon was nestled close to Jupiter, with Venus hovering low above the ocean. Together, Jupiter and the moon said, “We bring you a message of optimism and blessings. Open your wings and your heart, and let the cosmic green light guide your way.”
As the sky brightened, two reddish egrets danced through the shallows, enjoying breakfast together. The larger egret floated by with wings wide, bringing us the message of being grounded.
“Like the champion fighter, Muhammad Ali, I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee! My long legs keep me grounded in the moment, but I stay light — ready to pivot and leap when life says ‘Go!’
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Moon and Jupiter 45 minutes before sunrise
