Stormy Afternoon, Treasure Island, Florida April 2020

Lightning, thunder, wind, and sideways rain pummeled us earlier today. From my window, I watched palm trees bend, patio furniture flip over, and water flow down the road. It was loud, chaotic, and a bit worrisome for awhile.

After the tempest blew out to sea, a quiet calm prevailed. The sun reappeared and birds emerged from their sheltering places. It brought to mind the Persian adage, “This, too, shall pass.”

A saying which is also relevant in light of the global crisis we are living through right now. Though perhaps this updated version is more apropos? “This, too, shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”

Seedhead Star, Largo, Florida April 2020

This jumped out at me at the park yesterday afternoon. I had been following a pair of Indigo Buntings, hoping for a decent photograph when I spotted this star. It was so eye-catching that I stopped what I was doing and switched cameras.

Ordinarily, the naturalist in me would clamor to learn the name of the plant and details of its life history. But sometimes, it is just enough to admire a thing for its beauty…

Sand Dollar, Treasure Island, Florida April 2020

This is only the second sand dollar test that I’ve found since moving to Florida. I’m even more pleased with this discovery since it is rather small, about an inch across. I often see pieces of much larger sand dollars on my beach, perhaps someday I’ll luck into a whole one.

Regardless, I remain fond of this little one. And isn’t that perhaps one key to a happy life, to find joy in the simple things?

Treasure Island Sunset, Florida April 2020

The camera on my phone doesn’t do today’s sunset justice but I still thought it was worth sharing.

Gulf of Mexico, Treasure Island, Florida March 2020

I don’t know about you but I’m happy to close the door on March. Here’s hoping that April is kinder to us all. Stay safe and healthy, my friends!

Note: While our beaches closed to the public ten days ago, they are allowing local residents access to the beach with one important caveat, we must stay on the wet sand. As a very nice officer explained to me, the ocean is not closed so anything that the water touches is fair game. Just as long as I observe social distancing rules.

Motel Sign, Treasure Island, Florida March 2020

Together (alone) we can do hard things! I look forward to the time when we can hang out, share a laugh, dance in the sand, and create more amazing memories. Until then, stay safe and healthy, my friends. ❤

Peacock Body

I noticed a sign touting the significance of a spot across Boca Ciega Bay from me back in December but it wasn’t until this week that I finally explored it. While most people visit St. Petersburg’s Jungle Prada Park for the boat ramp, the small park is packed with history. It is purportedly the landing place of the Spanish Narváez expedition of 1528 and it protects the majority of a Tocobaga shell mound (the other section is owned by the Anderson family).

For my fellow history buffs: The Pánfilo de Narváez expedition left Spain in 1527 with the intent of establishing Spanish forts along the Florida Gulf Coast. To say it was ill-fated is an understatement. They lost two ships in a hurricane near Cuba and further storms forced them to land along Boca Ciega Bay.

Dispirited, Narváez declared the area most unsuitable for settlement (Ha, tell that to the 4.5 million people currently living here!) and pushed on, determined to cross the gulf over to Mexico. That attempt killed all but 80 (including Narváez), the remaining survivors were swept onto Galveston Island.

We know this because, amazingly, there were four men who made the trek on foot through Texas (and possibly into New Mexico and Arizona) before finally reaching Mexico City in 1537. The leader of that group, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, later wrote about his experience as the first European to travel that part of North America. His account is exceptional in that he focused on the native peoples and their customs, a boon to anthropologists and archaeologists.

I had hoped to take a guided tour of the private portion of the mound, however it was understandably closed due to COVID-19 concerns. I did follow a handsome fellow around for awhile, though for the life of me, I can’t figure out what peacocks are doing there! I enjoyed the show though.

He’s Handsome and He Knows It!