Friends and I wandered out to Anna Maria Island Sunday afternoon for a bit of relaxation. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day off.

In an effort to avoid a serious backup on the highway, I took a side street to work the other day. Unfortunately, this new route didn’t turn out to be any faster since I encountered this handsome devil.

It’s breeding season and though I didn’t see any females nearby this guy was certainly strutting his stuff. A pleasant diversion to be sure.

The colors were just lovely yesterday evening so I climbed up to the top of the bridge over John’s Pass to get a better look. This jetty at the north end of Treasure Island is my turn around spot when I walk the beach.

It’s a wonderful place to watch the water and relax.

Summer must be on the way! Not only are the days are getting longer (and warmer) but the tilting of our planet means the sun has once again started to line up with the opening in the John’s Pass bridge near me.

This year our 12+ hours of daylight started back on March 15th and will continue through September 26th. Interestingly, we’ll get within six minutes of 14 hours on June 20th. That’s a lot of sunlight to enjoy!

Had an uninvited guest at the house last week. It was a bit of a feat to capture him without doing any damage to the tiny thing. After a quick photo session I placed him outside under one of my rosemary bushes. Live long and eat lots of bugs, little dude!

As with so many of the plants in my once barren yard, I was gifted these bulbs. When I planted them over a year ago I was told they were irises. Well, one of them finally just bloomed and lo and behold, it is a rather showy amaryllis!

I don’t really care what it is, I’m just glad it is doing so well. Certainly a cheery addition this Spring!

Unlike the Texas Gulf Coast, there are not a lot of commercial shrimping boats along the Florida Gulf Coast (at least not in my region). I watched this outrigger motor out of John’s Pass earlier this week.

Heading out to trawl for the “fruit of the sea” (according to Benjamin Buford Blue aka Bubba). I don’t know about you but I can’t think of shrimping without remembering that famous scene from Forrest Gump. And, if by chance, you haven’t seen this movie, don’t walk but run, Forrest, run!

Came across this little gem a week ago. It struck me as so clever and today is a perfect day to share it since the wind has been gusting up to 25 miles an hour. The upside is that it might blow in some rain later tonight. I’m hoping!

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go out with my friend Katie and her dog, Reef. In a first for me, we went to the appropriately named Dog Bar. The head bark-tender collected our entrance fee (dogs pay a cover charge but people get in free).

This mostly outdoor venue was absolutely packed with doggos and their people. I’d estimate there were about 100 pups wandering around when we arrived. And surprisingly, it was a rather amicable gathering. Just in case, there were staff members roaming the grounds with spray bottles full of water (ready to squirt any canine that was too rowdy).

As if that wasn’t awesome enough, there was a full bar with an extensive beer list and even dog treats. A fun way to spend an evening with some furry new friends!

Tonight’s entertainment at the south jetty was provided by a mother teaching her baby dolphin how to fish. While everyone else was watching the sunset I was mesmerized by this duo.

Of course, I wish I’d had my big camera and zoom lens with me but as they say in the photography field the best camera is the one you have with you at the time. Truthfully, the camera on my iPhone did a pretty decent job capturing some of the action.

There’s always something to see at my favorite beach!