Reaching

I'm not sure if the trees along the beach at Lovers Key State Park are dead, but I always enjoy photographing them.  I tried to glean some information about the trees and learned this from the park website:  This side of Lovers Key was so thick with mangroves, bushes, and pine trees it essentially was inaccessible -- until Hurricane Charley hit in 2004. The damage to the area was so severe beach restoration was necessary.   Trees were removed and the area cleared, creating a 2 mile stretch of open beach.  Although the original environment is gone, I think this new area is pretty special (even more so, now that I know the history with Hurricane Charley).  By the way, I snapped this photo just before the fiery orange ball I posted yesterday.

Sunset Cruise

After a few days of fog photos, we're back to sunsets (as promised).  This was a stunning one at Lovers Key State Park a few weeks ago.  Several miles up the road, the beaches are packed with students and families enjoying Spring Break.  But here?  It's just enough of a hike to scare people away … and, after a short (and beautiful) walk, I was rewarded with a deserted beach.  As I watched the sun expand into a glowing orange ball and sink into the Gulf of Mexico…that silhouetted boat puttered by, almost on cue.   I posted this photo of what the sky looked like that evening when I was hoofing back to the park entrance.  Slowly but surely, the SDP staff is circling back to an array of sunset photos and, yes, more Sunshine Skyway pics are still on tap.  So much to share!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Roll Fog Roll

Yesterday's photo of the foggy fishermen was taken from the Tony Saprito Fishing Pier in downtown a few nights ago.  After snapping that pic, I puttered around the bend to Bayfront Park to encounter this scene at the mooring field.  You can see the fog behind the sailboats, but it was much thicker when I approached.  Unfortunately, during the quick few minutes it took to take out my camera gear out, the fog started to roll out.  **darn**  While I was taking pictures, a woman walked by and exclaimed, "I'm so glad you have a camera and someone is capturing this!  It's just beautiful!" Perhaps more beautiful -- and moody -- in black and white?  I should have given her a SDP business card.  **double darn**  The Editor-in-Chief will be dismayed.

Pea Soup

These three guys are braver than I am!   I don't think I'd be heading into this pea soup on Sarasota Bay.

Into the Mist

Sea fog rolling across Sarasota Bay last night and blanketing the Ringling Bridge.  Although it was spritzing a bit and the temperature was dropping, this pelican seemed to be patiently waiting out Mother Nature to resume flights.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Model

In yesterday's post, I mentioned this handsome cormorant was a poser wanting to make sure I got his good side.  How do I know this?  I offer the following:

"How does my neck look?  Are you sure that lens isn't making it look too long?"

"My left side looks good!  Don't you think?!" 

"But, check out my right side!  The sunlight at this hour brings out a hint of blue in my eye." 

And, he played the role of diva supermodel well, being a smidge temperamental, craning his head to see behind the camera:  "Hey! What are you looking at?! Nothing to see here. Move along!  And…could someone powder my beak, puh-leeze!"

By the way, I was asked the difference between a cormorant and an anhinga.  The simple distinction (to me) is in the beak:  an anhinga has a straight knife-like beak and the cormorant has a hooked one.  Happy Sunday!

Poser

This is the end of the fishing pier at Ft. DeSoto park in Tierra Verde -- and a great spot to take photos of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  This cormorant, basking in the late afternoon sun, didn't want to be upstaged by the beautiful bay and the bridge, though.  He was such a handsome poser, he temporarily stole the show -- all while keeping an eye on the Skyway and me (no doubt making sure I was getting his good side).