Captiva beach, the end of the wheel of the year, the sea monster.

[urbpan]

As I said earlier, we stayed at the Tween Waters Inn, in a room on the top floor of the building behind my dad in this picture. We were told that since it's "cold," that the manatees have moved away from the ocean into warmer inland waters.



So on the morning of the 21st I was looking out across the water with my cup of coffee when I saw an enormous animal poke out of the water. You can see a brown form at the center of this photo, slightly toward the right. I could see a distinct head that raised up out of the water for a brief moment. I stared hard at the water, seeing the same thing happen in a different location three times. I wracked my brain: dolphin, whale? The head was too distinct. Leatherback turtle? Is that a thing that comes to shore? Crocodile, alligator?

While I was staring, a woman standing on a docked boat nearby was below me, looking at the same part of the water. She said out loud "Oh, look at them all!" in a blandly pleased tone of voice that one does not use when referring multiple crocodilians. I told my dad and we went down to the dock to look. We didn't see anything, but verified that the woman was seeing manatees. Still, it looked fucking HUGE from the second floor.


High above, a magnificent frigatebird rides the thermals.

After our visits to Ding Darling and Sanibel Beach we went back to Captiva. I realized this sunset was the last one before the days got longer. What a nice
opportunity--see the last sun of the wheel of the year go down into the ocean.










Good night, and let us toast to longer days ahead!

Comments

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

She said out loud "Oh, look at them all!" in a blandly pleased tone of voice that one does not use when referring multiple crocodilians.

*falls over laughing*

Also, OMFG MANATEES!

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

no Green Flash?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Not this time. There was someone on the beach with a tripod and whatever the modern equivalent of an autowinder is, shooting dozens of frames trying to capture one, but I was staring looking for one and didn't see one.

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

they are indeed hard to catch

[morty-baby.livejournal.com]

You asshole. I *stared* at that pic of the ocean and the 'manatees' on the morning of the 21st for 5 minutes and nada. Also, every time you post about your dad makes me smile and miss my own dad. :) And kinda makes me jealous.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

The manatee is there. Dead center, top to bottom, right hand side. Look for reddish brown in the bluish gray.

I take a lot of pictures of my dad lately because I'm aware that I will miss him terribly some day.

[morty-baby.livejournal.com]

I wished I hadda taken more pics of my dad when I had the chance. Back in 88 when he cacked it, there was just film cameras. I always smile when you post a pic of your dad.

[morty-baby.livejournal.com]

And stop screening my comments dammit!

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Not until you promise not to be a Russian spam-bot!

[urb-banal.livejournal.com]

**raising glass to longer days**

A post with your dad AND manatees? Yay!!! All though I have to say, I could not see anything in the photo either. I just like the name, "Manatee". Also, it is one of my top fav. mammals.

What's a refrigerator bird? It looks prehistoric.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Pelican relative. It robs other seabirds by harassing them until they vomit their catch. Famous for the big red balloon that the males display with.