In a much appreciated respite from our usual sunny, hot, and humid weather, today was predominantly gray and rainy. A large, slow moving storm arrived with the typical noisy bluster but most importantly, it brought some much needed moisture.

Places north and south of me received over 4″ which caused some fleeting flooding, but in my area we tallied about half that. In addition, the rain fell low and slow which allowed it to soak in. Made my plants happy!

Since the calming of the storm this evening coincided with low tide and sunset, I headed downtown for a walk along the waterfront. I never know what I’m going to see but I do know that there will be something interesting along the way.

Good: A Black-crowned Night Heron was already out, searching for food and allowed me a few photos. Then I was distracted by movement in the grass, a hermit crab lugging his shell toward water. As I placed him (and some other shells*) back in the water, I spotted two manatees swimming nearby. Further out in the bay I spied a dolphin fin. Turning around I noted a faint rainbow. All lovely and I would’ve left satisfied with my stroll.

Better: A few minutes later, the sky provided another rainbow. Shortly, a couple paddlers came around the bend and were framed by the colorful arcs. Then, a gull flew over their heads to compete the scene. What a nice addition to the evening!

Best: As colors began to fade from the sky, nature had one more treat to share. A dolphin came in for his cameo and I was able to capture a photo of it, with a paddler, and a rainbow. This particular cetacean is a bit of a local celebrity. He’s known as Pete (a nod to the city name) and he’s recognizable by the scar on his dorsal fin as well as his tendency to frequent the shallows near the Vinoy Hotel. Lucky me, the bayfront put on a show this evening!

*Oh, and to the guy that pulled up those living Crown Conchs and Banded Tulips with his castnet and left them to die in the grass. I put them all back in the water for you, @sshole.