Flippers at Sunrise
This morning the sunrise was fifty shades of grey, with a little muddy blues and a sliver of pink. Instead.....I thought I would share a few flippers at sunrise to start your Sunday. And Pixar the laughing gull dancing on the sun.
Wishing you a playful day friends!
Nourish your soul
Yipppeeeeeeee! Pixar the laughing gull is back in town! He returns to New Smyrna Beach for the winter, and I need to check, but I believe this is his 4th winter with us.
The sunrise stayed mostly hidden today, but that didn’t stop the wildlife from showing up. A flock of egrets flew in, along with a lively assortment of gulls—and three black skimmers!
Everyone was grabbing breakfast from the shallow tide pools. More starfish had washed onto the beach, including two larger ones sticking close together and reminding us of the buddy system.
Pixar said, “Each year, I follow the inner pull back to my favorite beach and my familiar flock. I’m a reminder that returning isn’t going backward, it’s coming home to what nourishes your spirit.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Stay grounded and roll with the flow
Good Morning!
The morning was extra calm, with a lake-like Atlantic Ocean and barely a breath of wind. A large flock of gulls flew in early for bath time, breaking the silence of first light.
The moon remained bright in the sky as the sun rose, first appearing as a soft pink ball before turning gold and bringing the heat.
After sunrise, I came across a woodpecker enjoying breakfast and met a new tortoise!
The tortoise reminds us of slow and steady progress, wisdom, safety, and staying grounded. The woodpecker reminds us that life has a rhythm and encourages us to remain open to hidden opportunities.
Together, they said, “Stay the course, move with the rhythm, and trust that the right doors will open for you.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Return to your center
Good Morning! The full moon looked like it was cozied up to the thick blanket of clouds as it set over the Indian River. I was pleasantly surprised to see the sun made its way through the clouds.
The ocean water was crystal clear and calm. Pelican Highway traffic was heavy heading northbound, with several gathering at a rest stop near shore to pause and recharge before continuing on their way. About a dozen tiny starfish were washing ashore.
I gave them a lift back out in hopes that would help them. The starfish said, “We bring the message of renewal and resilience. When you feel like you are being tossed around, return to your center, it will help you feel solid from the inside.” The pelicans added, “And we encourage lots of rest! It’s a helpful way to find your center.”
Wishing you a beautiful day friends!
Who Is Shelley? Part Three
Who Is Shelley? Part Three
My work has always been about helping a client or guest feel supported enough to let go, restore balance, and reconnect with themselves.
Floating was one of my first loves. I began this work in 2005 and have seen how profoundly the body can settle when it no longer feels as though it has to hold everything alone.
Warm salt water and a willingness to let go are quite a combination—creating the space to exhale.
Here is a glimpse into The Exhale Float Experience™.
If you missed it….Part One
And Part Two
Feel past what your eyes can see, embrace your growth
Good Morning!
WOW! The full moon looked like a giant orange ball hovering above the Indian River when I stepped outside this morning. To the east, a hint of pink appeared in the sky as an owl called out into the stillness.
The ocean was full of life, bubbling with fish like a stew on the stove. Sharks, dolphins, pelicans, and gulls were feasting in every direction. In the distance, both dolphins and sharks leaped from the water, reminding us that life can surprise us at any moment.
The full moon and the owl brought us a beautiful combined message. This full moon invites us to step beyond our comfort zone, embrace growth, and find balance between honoring our individuality and being part of a community.
The owl said, “Trust your intuition to see beyond what your physical eyes can see. Feel your way forward and listen to the gentle nudges within. They are leading you toward what makes your heart shine.”
Wishing you a beautiful full moon day, friends!
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!
