Trust what you feel
Good Morning! The ocean shimmered beneath a dreamy sky this morning, so calm it looked more like Lake Atlantic. Fog and clouds softened the horizon, giving us an otherworldly sunrise—as though the morning existed somewhere between a dream and waking.
The fog said, “Clarity isn't the only path to connection and direction. Sometimes the fog is an invitation to lean into your other senses, and trust what you feel. Pause, plug into nature, and allow what you need to find its way to you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
EXHALE.Stretch.Breathe.
Good Morning!
This morning, the sunrise arrived hidden behind heavy clouds, pouring rain, and flashes of lightning. The ocean darkened beneath the storm as Mother Nature reminded us that not every beginning comes wrapped in golden light.
Before the storm arrived, a huge flock of laughing gulls gathered for a bath, while a solitary egret stood on the sand taking in the morning.
One of the gulls lifted his head toward the sky in a great big stretch and said, “Stretching helps create space in the body and in your life. Sometimes all it takes is reaching just a little beyond your comfort zone to discover what is possible.”
EXHALE.
Stretch. Breathe.
Make a little more room for yourself today.
Stretch
Recharge and emerge
Good Morning! The sunrise was soft and muted this morning, while the ocean rested as calm as a lake. Beyond the waves, dolphins surfaced as they searched for breakfast, and along the shoreline, the sandpipers were busy doing the same.
Piper stopped to dig deep and came up with a tasty breakfast nugget.
Sunny, the gopher tortoise, seems to emerge around sunrise each day to begin the morning.
S/he said, “I have both a burrow and a shell—two places where I can rest, feel protected, and find comfort. When I feel ready, I come out to meet the world. It’s nice to have balance—time to recharge and time to emerge.”
Wishing you a beautiful day, friends!
Patience is part of timing
Good Morning! The ocean looked like a soft oil painting again today. Wispy clouds stretched across the sky like wings, soaking up the beautiful colors of the morning.
Perfect waves rolled toward shore, calling the surfers to come play. Traffic along Pelican Highway was light again as a few pelicans headed northbound over the waves.
Mikey the Great Egret was busy grabbing breakfast in the lagoon, bringing us a message about patience and timing.
He said, “Some days I wait a long while before the right fish swims by. Patience is part of trusting the timing. I simply stay present, and when it feels right, I reach for what I’ve been waiting for.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Hawkeye, the red shouldered hawk…my Facebook friends helped name him but I’m not so sure s/he likes the name. Some are worried s/he isn’t ok, because she eats on the ground a lot. I’m told s/he is young, so I’ll keep an eye on the nugget. S/he is on a good place to be safe and grow up.
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Teamwork Turtle Rescue
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Teamwork Turtle Rescue
After sunrise, Puppy—also known as Eddy the Pelican—and M the dolphin were busy fishing for breakfast in the lagoon. Puppy was grabbing the teeny fish while M grabbed the big redfish.
Nearby, a young green sea turtle kept returning to the shallows to rest. The third time, s/he allowed herself to be picked up without trying to swim away, making it clear that something wasn’t right.
Thanks to the quick response and teamwork of the New Smyrna Beach Turtle Trackers this little nugget is now safe at the Marine Marine Science Center Friends of the Marine Science Center receiving medical attention.
Hopefully, s/he will soon be healthy enough to return home and swim in the lagoon soon!
Stay tuned for more tales!
Trust your inner compass
Good Morning!
The ocean looked like silk this morning—calm, soft, and beautiful. Traffic along Pelican Highway was light as a few pelicans headed northbound toward the surfers lined up beyond the break and the fishing boats scattered offshore.
A banded Royal Tern, who appears to have been banded in Georgia, joined the morning gathering—perhaps resting along the way as migration begins to stir.
S/he said, “There comes a time when something within you knows it is time to move…..trust the pull, follow your inner compass, and let the way unfold one wingbeat at a time.”
Wishing you a beautiful day, friends!
RELAX AND ENJOY THE FISH CHASE
Good Morning!
With no breeze and a veil of light fog resting over the shoreline, the morning began in complete stillness.
Then the stillness began to shift. The flock flew in, and sunrisers emerged from every direction—walking, riding bikes, and soaking in the new day.
In the waves, a dolphin chased breakfast. She rolled on her side and said, “I can relax and catch a fish. Rolling around in the waves is fun, I highly recommend relaxing and enjoying the fish chase.”
After sunrise, I spotted Hawkeye, our red-shouldered hawk, enjoying another cricket breakfast.
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Hi, My name is Hawkeye
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: The Rock of the Lagoon
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode~ The Rock of the Lagoon
Meet Jagger—basically, he's Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson if he had fins.
He’s massive, powerful, battle-tested, and carries himself like the lagoon’s head of security. I’ve seen him return from a shark encounter with his lower rostrum scraped raw, looking like he had definitely won—or at least made the shark regret its choices.
But beneath all that muscle is a big softie. He’s incredibly sweet with his best buddy, Uncle Larry, who is about 47 years old.
Jagger doesn’t need to make an entrance. You feel him coming.
Stay tuned for more tales!
Incoming!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode~ Pod Feeding Fun
ales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: Pod Feeding Fun
Puff and Fin joined their moms and a few friends for some mullet, playtime, and snuggles. And look how big our one-year-old Fin is!
Puppy the pelican—also known as Eddy—stayed close by. After receiving a few more dolphin boops than he appreciated, he decided sticking near me might earn him a break.
He was right.
Stay tuned for more tales from the lagoon!
Faded isn’t always a loss
Good Morning!
The shoreline felt quiet, calm, and serene this morning. As the sun rose, the flock gathered for bath time, getting squeaky clean beneath a sky filled with lovely reflections.
When the sun came up it looked like it hovered in an opening in the clouds, shining the light into the morning.
On the way off the beach the seacoast were alive with wildlife. A tortoise rested among the coastal flowers, appearing to enjoy a moment of complete Zen.
A mourning dove quietly pecked at the seeds of flowers that had already finished blooming. She said, “Not everything that has faded has lost its purpose. Sometimes what appears to be finished still holds nourishment for the journey ahead.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Can you feel me now?
Sometimes we all need a little lift
Good Morning!A bird-shaped cloud soared across the sky, soaking up the colors of the sunrise. A little more wind today gave us a refreshing start to the day.
As the sun was rising, the amazing and tireless New Smyrna Beach Turtle Trackers arrived to survey the nests. This was the second nest to emerge in this same location this week! One little nugget was upside down in the sand, flippers in the air asking for help.
The NSB Turtle Trackers gently released the little one into the ocean. S/he said, “My journey is long, so beginning it upside down was a bit daunting. I’m grateful for the assist that helped me get back on track—a lovely reminder that sometimes we all need a little lift along our journey.”
After sunrise, I met the red-shouldered hawk again! I think it’s time to give this beauty a name. What should we call her—or him? Any suggestions?
Wishing you a beautiful day!
Who Is Shelley? Part Two | The Dolphins, the Lagoon & Healing Through Nature.
Who Is Shelley? Part Two | The Dolphins, the Lagoon & Healing Through Nature.
In February 2018, I had another dream—one that led me to walk into the Indian River Lagoon in hopes of photographing dolphins. What unfolded was more than I ever could have imagined.
Fast forward, I now know three generations of dolphins and have spent years alongside pelicans and egrets. What began with a camera became a source of healing, connection, and wonder.
That intention is woven through everything I create—from my photography and children’s book, Pip's Fishy Adventure to EXHALE: A Visual Meditation Book Inspired by Nature and the documentary, My Invisible Husband, Echoes of Healing.
At the heart of it all is the reminder that we have the ability to heal—and when we slow down enough to reconnect with ourselves and with nature, healing can begin.
This is Part Two of my story. Stay tuned for Part Three
Thank you to Brent Eite with Focal Point Videography for helping me bring it to life through your talent and friendship.
Who Is Shelley? Part One
Who Is Shelley? Part One
I had a dream that changed the direction of my life.
My late husband, Roy, came to me and said, “Come on. I’m taking you shopping. I want you to have a professional Canon camera.”
That dream became the beginning of a path I never could have imagined.
The camera led me to the daily sunrise, to the flock, to the dolphins, and to a deeper connection with nature—one that would slowly shape everything I do today.
This is Part One of my story.
Stay tuned for Part Two.
Thank you to Brent Eite of Focal Point Videography for helping me bring this story to life. I’m deeply grateful for your talent, creativity, and friendship.
Courage and timing! You got this!
Good Morning!Sahara dust softened the sky in shades of peach, copper, and gold, while the calm ocean turned the wet sand into a beautiful mirror. The flock gathered reminding us to take it one step at a time.
The red-shouldered hawk was back again, keeping a very close eye on breakfast—or possibly wondering whether wood provides enough fiber. Nearby, a brave little squirrel made its way past the hawk with full Mission: Impossible determination.
The squirrel said, “Sometimes the path forward takes courage, careful timing, and an inspiring soundtrack in your head. You got this!"
Have a beautiful day friends!
Trust what is calling you
Good Morning!
Sahara dust softened the morning sky, wrapping the horizon in warm shades of gold, peach, and copper.
The ocean was calm, and the wet sand became a mirror, reflecting the beauty above as though the shoreline were seeing the sunrise through its own eyes.
Among the familiar gulls was the first black backed gull of the season—a sign that migration is beginning and change is already in the air.
S/he said, “Migration is a natural part of the bird world. Our inner knowing feels like a pull toward somewhere new. Although the journey ahead is uncertain, we trust our instincts and move toward what is calling us. We highly recommend to trust what is calling you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Fog is just temporary, clarity will come.
Good Morning! The morning began with a beautiful pink and blue glow along the horizon.
Then, almost without notice, a soft layer of fog in stealth mode rolled in. By 6:10am, the shoreline was wrapped in a blanket of mist, making it difficult to see beyond what was right in front of me.
The sun eventually rose bringing warmth and clarity.
The fog brings the message today, “When you feel foggy or uncertain, not to worry. It is only temporary. Just as the rising sun burns away the mist, clarity will find its way back to you.”
Wishing you a peaceful day, friends!
Tales from the Lagoon ~ The Snuggle Is Real
Tales from the Lagoon ~ The Snuggle Is Real
A group of young dolphins turned the lagoon into their own little cuddle puddle—popping up, leaning into one another, and sharing plenty of playful affection. One even gave his buddy a gentle lift with a perfectly timed push.
There was definitely a little extra “boy energy” in the pod, but mostly it was pure sweetness, silliness, and the kind of friendship that makes you smile.
If you watch to the end, let me know what you think of my logo at the end.
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS ~Friday sunrise is previous post
Its safe to share your tender places
Good morning!
WOW! The sunrise was breathtaking, reflective masterpiece painted across the sky and mirrored perfectly on the wet sand. The every changing landscape brought us as a soft palette of peach, gold, and blue-gray unfolded overhead.
The flock of laughing gulls were present including royal terns, willets and ruddy turnstones.
After sunrise, Skylar the osprey was perched on a boat at the docks. Isn’t she gorgeous?! I’ve known her since 2018, and when I asked how she was doing, she lifted her hurt foot, showing me exactly where it hurt.
She reminds us, “It's safe to share your tender places with your safe flockmates. Vulnerability is a super power. There is strength in letting yourself be seen, and wisdom in giving what hurts the care and time it needs to heal.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Ouch, my foot hurts
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode-Kisses & Shenanigans
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode-Kisses & Shenanigans
The moms and kiddos swam in for a little family playdate filled with snuggles, splashes, and dolphin kisses. Cutter was in the mix too!
Cutter is a male who seems to delight in getting the kiddos wound up. He is part playmate, part fun uncle, part big brother and loves to get the shenanigans going!
The moms were in the snuggle fest too, offering lots of sweet kisses. Nothing fills the lagoon with joy quite like snuggling dolphins enjoying time together.
Stay tuned for more tales!
PS~. Thursday sunrise is previous post
Be the safe person for others
Good Morning! Rays of pink light streamed into the deep blue sky this morning, soothing and inspiring all at once. Everything was so quiet and peaceful.
As the sun was rising, a dolphin slipped into a wave, surfing the swell while grabbing breakfast along the way.
Our message today comes from the flock. The feathered friends have a request, "Be the safe person for others."
“We know it may look like fun to run toward us and watch us scatter, but imagine something ten times your size racing toward you while screaming. Some of us are resting, some are feeding, and some are simply feeling safe along the shoreline. Others have traveled a very long way and need to conserve their energy."
"Please help your children enjoy us and give us the space to simply be. Watching us bathe, rest, and chat among ourselves is already pretty magical.”
Wishing you a beautiful day, friends!
Dolphin in the wave
