Boca Grande

I was so excited to be invited to go fishing last week, I felt sorry for these little fellows but you gotta have bait!  You may not be able to see them but my favorite bait, shrimp,  are swimming around in there too.

Got to pass my old boat on the way out, she's looking good - riding nice and high...as you can see it was a little hazy that early in the morning......

I caught alot of these guys, yellowtails, it felt so good to catch some fish again.

And here is an old conch favorite, the Grunt.  Daddy said you could always tell which ones were the girls because they had lipstick on! 

And a teeny baby black (grouper), I want to eat his Granddaddy

And of course birds.  These cormorants were really raising hell, I never realized how NOISY they are..I guess because you mostly see them zooming by the front of the boat, or diving.  But they were talking, and arguing and cooing and carrying on. 

I swear they sounded like sea lions!  I didn't know they talked that loud, or if I did I forgot, which is ENTIRELY possible...

I made a new friend too! Not the barracuda, although I like him just fine...but this girl here..she is a Concierge also and any girl that will get up that early to go fishing is going to be a lifelong friend...Do you ever meet someone and just know? 

Aaaahhh...and HERE'S the real beach.  If you are on vacation and can budget it I highly recommend chartering and boat and coming out to one of our "islands". This is Boca Grande. I know some really great guides and you can do it all, fish, swim, snorkel.  It may cost a little more, but you feel like you are on your own private island.  I'd be happy to help you with that...

Isn't it beautiful here?  I grew up playing and camping and exploring and swimming on the islands up and down the Keys and it never gets old. Boca Grande is about 14 miles to the west of Key West

Here is an Osprey - giving us the evil eye...sorry the picture isn't real clear, salt on the lens I think

Flapping alot but not taking flight..

And this was why.  Isn't the nest beautiful?  A work of art....

Which is why we have these, which are NOT so beautiful, but I'm sure necessary...

Headed off the island fished a little more...nice sized bull shark...released of course...

Then sadly time to head back home...horrible commute, isn't it?

Goodbye open water!

Back to  Key West/Stock Island ....

And this handsome fellow, waiting just for me.  You don't think he loves me for my fish, do you?

XO
Smiles,
Toni