Chin up, wings open, you got this!
With rain in the forecast, clouds filled the landscape, giving us a cozy start to the day. The crescent moon was still high in the sky, surrounded by cotton-ball clouds that felt soft and comforting.
Before sunrise, a pink glow filled the sky, shimmering on the calm ocean and making it look like it was draped in silk. When the sun finally emerged, its golden light was held by the clouds, forming a glowing orb that felt like it transported us to another world.
After sunrise, five pelicans appeared in the lagoon, scanning the water for breakfast.
One of the mature pelicans paused and said, “Keep your wings and hearts open as you prepare to take off. Chin up, stay confident, and remember—you can fly. You’ve got this.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Chin up, wings open, you got this!
Nature’s Wake Up Call
Heart presence is support
The sunrise was cozy and soothing today, with soft, fluffy clouds hovering like a blanket. The color show stayed gentle — mostly blues, a pop of pink for a few minutes, and eventually gold as the sun rose above the clouds.
The flock flew in chatty, ready to connect and get squeaky clean. All the regulars were there, and I noticed Split Footer’s head is beginning to turn black — a sign he’s shifting into breeding plumage and getting prepped to head north in a few months.
When their heads turn dark, it lets us know mating season is on the horizon.
A flock of sandpipers scurried through the laughing gulls, busy searching for breakfast. A couple paused for a moment and shared a message.
One said, “My wingman doesn’t feel well, so I’m staying close for comfort until she’s ready to go again. I can’t fix it for her, but she’s not alone." Not to worry, she coughed up a hairball and they continued the beach together.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Split Footer has been retuning to New Smyrna for at least 5 years. His head is turning black letting us know he is getting ready for mating season
Giving and receiving are the same energy
Mother Nature brought us a reflective sunrise with heart-opening golden streaming light. The sky shifted from pink and lavender into a rich golden glow as the morning unfolded.
Soft clouds, wet sand, and a churning ocean added to the magic. The flock flew in, holding their place in the wind. One skimmer arrived especially chatty.
Skimmers are black-and-white birds with bright red beaks who feed by skimming the water for fish.
I noticed she had bands on her legs — a sign she had once been helped by humans through conservation or care.
She said, “There was a time I needed support, and it was given with kindness. My situation reminds us that giving and receiving are the same energy. You see, I could tell the humans caring for me felt good helping, and I felt good receiving the help. A win-win.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Pixar hanging in place
Chatty Skimmer
Interview with Amy Kaufedtl with Fox 35
Hi everyone, for anyone who wants to see the interview yesterday from Good Morning Orlando with the wonderful Amy Kaufeldt here is the link
To add a little more about when I say HUBBS:
HUBBS-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is an independent, nonprofit marine research organization.
Hoping to get an update today on the dolphin. He is still getting round the clock care. It is also important to know NOAA will decide where the baby goes once he is stable.
Stillness is fuel for the body
Ahhhhh, Mother Nature brought us a beautiful morning with heart-opening rays of light streaming into the sky. A salty fog and light breeze kept the morning cozy.
The flock flew in energized and ready to hang out, darting back and forth with the zoomies before settling in for a nice bath.
The sun was the highlight, bringing warmth and a stunning pink light show. One of the gulls walked over, paused and said,“Stillness isn’t doing nothing, it’s how I refill. When I slow down intentionally, the rest of the day unfolds with more ease.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Fred is now part of the marketing team as well as my dance instructor
Self Care to stay healthy
So good to be back at sunrise and with the flock. The morning offered a much-needed calm, wrapped in a light layer of salty fog. The ocean was calm, adding to the deep sense of serenity.
The sun seemed tucked behind a cloud before rising as a big golden ball of warmth. The flock headed into the ocean for bath time, flapping their wings and sending bugs and old feathers flying.
They said, “When you feel stressed, that is the day to prioritize self-care. A little bath time goes a long way in keeping the immune system strong and healthy.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
PS- My apologies for not posting yesterday. I was on Good Morning Orlando at 8:30 - I have the clip which I ‘ll share soon.
And as of now the baby dolphin is alive - hope to get an update today
Baby Dolphin Stranded and rescued
A sunrise runner let me know three was a beached dolphin down the beach. I called the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and they talked me through pulling the dolphin out of the water.
One by one help arrived.
First on the scene was the Volusia County Beaches lifeguard's Next Volusia county environment person, Chad, arrived who was able to take respirations and medically check the baby boy.
Baby boy is around 2 months old, well fed and I felt him being a bit confused. I know many are thinking about the mom, we were too. We kept an eye out for her but no sightings.
When the Hubbs team arrived they measured him, took vitals and were extremely nurturing. Clearly this is not just a job but a love for them.
The really wonderful part of the story was the love and teamwork by all. The lifeguards were extraordinary, calm, caretaking the dolphin and the people with so much compassion.
Chad with Environmental brought his knowledge and calm strong presence that helped to ground the situation even more. A man who loves his job and the animals with his big heart.
The HUBBS ladies brought their knowledge and experience with gracious soothing love.
This baby boy was surrounded in calming presence the entire way. He is heading to Seaworld for medical attention now.
baby safge in the transport vehicle heading to Seaworld
Relax and enjoy the moment
Ahhhhhh… a calm and sweet morning with a light breeze, a touch of fog, and a peaceful ocean. A soft cloud on the horizon hugged the sun as it rose to greet the day. The moon lingered, bright and captivating in the sky.
The flock was chatty and engaging, wings open and hearts wide. After sunrise, a turtle glided through the lagoon, and together the turtle and gulls offered a shared message of slowing down.
The gulls said, “Like us, you may be flapping your wings and on the move, but be still on the inside.” The turtle agreed, adding, “Trust the journey. What is meant for you will never pass you by. Relax and enjoy the moment.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode – Besties of the Lagoon
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode – Besties of the Lagoon
This is Jasper and Daniko, two male dolphins who are besties. Male dolphins often form alliances which are close, long-term bonds with another male. Some call it a dolphin bromance.
They hunt, roam, and look out for one another, and I often see them helping with the babies and older kids
Today they came in had the zoomies grabbing fish in the shallows and by the seawall. The pelicans were very glad the dolphins were there to stir up the fish, making it easier to grab lunch.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Jasper
Daniko
Let the waves support you
Good Morning! A soothing, heavy layer of fog wrapped the shoreline this morning, lingering like a cozy blanket. I thought sharing wave photos and Eddy and Rusty, a couple of pelican friends, would be a peaceful way to start the day.
Waves remind us to go with the flow. Just as pelicans use the energy of the waves to carry them effortlessly down the shoreline, we’re invited to tune in and allow the same current to support us.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends.
Rusty and Eddy
More than one bird on your head?
Good Morning! I made a lovely video but my computer snarled and said not today. So sharing a video to give you a laugh….The video starts with Fred a laughing gull who likes to dance on my head. He is sweet and gentle. A younger gull comes and kicks him off - I call that one Naughty Pants because he is a bit snappy the opposite if sweet Fred. Watch how Naughty Pants rides the wild horse
Create Inner safety
A pink and lavender glow filled the western sky, illuminating the moon, while to the east, the horizon glowed orange, patiently awaiting the rising sun.
The chatty flock flew in right on cue, ready for bath time, dancing around the sun as it rose. Pelican Highway traffic was heavy, heading southbound in smooth and steady formation.
The moon was especially bright as it made its way toward setting, with Jupiter shining nearby, gently amplifying the moon’s energy.
The Man in the Moon said, “Use this energy to turn inward.
Soften. Calm your nervous system. Create inner safety and peace through compassion and gentleness toward yourself. This is a powerful tool to help ride the waves of life.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
A young laughing gull who I call Naughty Pants
Trust the current
Can you see the heart? 🤍
Mother Nature brought us a much-needed calm and sweet sunrise today. The ocean was more like a lake — flat as a pancake — and a huge fluffy cloud drifted from west to east, changing shapes as it went. My favorite was the heart, soaking up soft pink hues along the way.
Last night, I received a text and a Facebook message saying my Shelley Lynch Photography page had been hacked. When I tried to log in and confirm my identity, the page disappeared. At the same time, my computer and cameras have been acting up — all of it giving me pause to reflect and reevaluate how I move forward.
I’ve had quite a few moments in my life where unexpected changes appeared out of the blue and gently (or not so gently) shifted my direction. This isn’t new for me. I know to remain calm and trust the current, even when I can’t yet see where it’s taking me.
I truly love the community we’ve built here and on Facebook and Instagram— connecting over beauty, love, and fun means more to me than I can say. I’ll work on reaching Facebook to resolve the issue, and I’m also using this time to go within for guidance and clarity.
For now, if you’d still like to follow the sunrises and stories from the lagoon, I’ll continue sharing everything on my blog.
Stay tuned as I navigate the ever-changing tide.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode - white Pelican Drama
Tales from the Lagoon ~Episode - Pelican Drama
I had the pleasure of meeting a few new dolphins today and spending quality time with Ocean who I met in 2018. More from Ocean later, the highlight was a white pelican chasing a brown pelican over a fish!
The brown pelican wasn't sure he wanted to eat the fish- spitting it out a few times- maybe because it's a catfish. The last photo shows the fish, maybe someone can tell me what kind of fish that is? Even though he spit it out a few times, he didn't want the white pelican to have it. The fish dance went on for 20 minutes before they flew to the other side of the lagoon where I think the white pelican finally I at the fish.
Stay tuned for more tales!
regulate the nervous system for a healthy new year
First light filled the sky with a molten amber glow and a quiet welcome to the new year. The sun rose slowly, offering a long kiss goodbye before lifting higher, bringing much-needed warmth.
The flock flew in briefly but didn’t linger. They were very skittish this morning, darting back out to the ocean together—most likely still on edge from last night’s fireworks.
They remind us that when we feel anxious, finding safety is essential to reset our nervous system. Taking small actions to find peaceful places, restore inner harmony, and regulate our nervous system is part of creating a healthy 2026.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Kiss goodbye
Gratitude for you &2025
Mother Nature closed out the year with a chilly, breathtaking sunrise. The waves churned, the wind carried salty spray through the air, and the flock arrived a little later than usual—ready, as always, for a good squeaky-clean reset. They said, “Self-care doesn’t stop just because it’s uncomfortable. It’s how we stay healthy, strong, and connected.”
As this year comes to a close, my heart is full of gratitude.Thank you to everyone who has shown up here—quietly or loudly—with kindness, encouragement, curiosity, and care. Thank you for sharing in these moments, these stories, and these connections with the animals who continue to teach me daily.
Thank you, 2025, for the lessons, the growth and healing.Thank you for the human connections, the animal encounters, and the simple magic found in standing still with nature.
As we step into 2026, my hope is to keep choosing presence, joy, and time outdoors—letting nature lead us back to what matters most.
With so much gratitude… thank you for being here.
My bird friend kept pushing my hat down. :). silly times to end the year.
Trust the rhythm of ease
Old Man Winter is back in Florida for a few days, bringing wind and cooler temperatures. Mother Nature used winter to create new heart expanding colors for Crayola.
The sun came up on the horizon with waves crashing all around. The warmth was instantly felt.
The flock was wild this morning. With gusts of wind, they darted off, then back again—only to dart off once more. Each time they moved in perfect sync, always tuned in, knowing exactly when to fly in unison without bumping into one another.
They remind us to stay tuned in, to trust the rhythm of the moment. When we move together instead of against the wind, there’s less effort, more grace, and a feeling of being held by something bigger than ourselves.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Alignment is under way
Good Morning! Ahhhhh… a picture-perfect morning with a calm ocean, soft golden tones, and just a touch of fog. The waves rolled toward shore in perfect form, quietly calling all the surfers to come play.
The flock was already busy getting squeaky clean, resting on the glassy sand, and squabbling just a bit.
Pelican Highway took full advantage of the energy gliding effortlessly down the beach on perfectly timed waves. A theme of alignment stood out with pelicans in formation and a surfer passing directly beneath the rising sun.
They said, “Use your heart to follow the flow. Things line up naturally. Alignment is already underway. Not to worry if you feel like you are waiting a long time for the next wave, the lull is just as important as the ride.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Play to reset your nervous system
As my feet hit the sand, the quiet was palpable, courtesy of a soft, fluffy cloud cover and a calm ocean. Mother Nature used every shade of pink, creating a soothing masterpiece. The clouds felt like a cozy blanket wrapped around the morning.
When the sun appeared, it glowed in pink and yellow hues, as if someone briefly turned on the lights—bringing a moment of brightness before it slipped back behind the clouds.
Just as the sun rose, a frolicking pod of dolphins swam by, heading south. They said,“ Remember the power of fun and play. It boosts your serotonin and gently shifts your mood. Just like kids, adults who play give their nervous systems permission to rest, reset, and smile.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
PS~. Check out sunset from last night in previous post
