Once again we found a manatee on the same sandbar as last time, but this time the manatee was swimming along at a pretty good clip.   As we tried to keep up with this manatee I realized there was an incredible urgency to this manatee.   My curiosity got the best of me and I followed along for at least a mile away from the sandbar and into the bay.   What a worthwhile adventure this turned out to be because this manatee led us to about 30 or more manatees laying up on a mud flat.   We got as close as we could without disturbing them and sat there watching what I am assuming was mating.   The manatees were oblivious to us as they eventually surrounded the boat.  About that time is when all heck broke loose!  There were several tail slaps and then all 30 or so manatees went bezerk.   The boat was rocking to and fro and we all got wet and muddy by the time it was all over.  Please click on this link to see the action that I taped with the video feature on my casio camera.  Be sure to turn the volume up loud to get the full effect of all the action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crH1X4kc8xQ

The video turned out great, but you really had to be there to see the power these animals exhibited this morning.

We ran into another bunch of mating manatees the next day right off of Sanibel Island's Lighthouse point.   Check out the video I took of this experience as well. 

Very Romantic!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACMC3eV7_XQ&feature=related

Thanks for viewing!

Captain Hatty

Terresa yelled "MANATEES" from the bow and I was shocked to see what looked to be half a dozen dark shadows on the sandbar south of Fort Myers Beach.   The manatees were oblivious to us as we carefully maneuvered the boat to get a closer look.   They were rolling and splashing all about the place while staying on top of the sandbar.   After several minutes of this "activity" they made a huge amount of commotion and then all took off in a big hurry.  WHAT A SHOW!  This was the best manatee experience we have had in over 3 years of charters.   It was like National Geographic in High Definition!  The pictures turned out great, but you really had to be there to see the power and grace these animals exhibited this morning.

We finally found the rare Junonia on one of our charters.   Ask anyone in Southwest Florida and they will tell you that the Junonia is the shell to seek.  Only about two inches long, the unassuming shell is ivory-colored with a pattern of brown squares encircling it. Although it isn't elaborate, like the beautiful Lace Murex, or large, like the conch shells, the Junonia is so prized that whenever someone discovers one their picture is featured in the local newspaper.    As we approached Lover's Key, Morris and I had a conversation about shells and shelling and what they might expect to find.   I told him about the I mentioned that the shell every die hard shell collector wants to find (many spend their entire lives trying to find one) is the rare Junonia.    Morris asked what they look like so I  handed him a picture of one that I have on a plastic shell identification sheet.   Now let me tell you that having shelled the area hundreds if not thousands of times myself, I did not think it very likely that Morris would find a Junonia.  But it was his Birthday!   After about 20 minutes of shelling, Morris said "hey Mark, take a look at this shell"  I was speechless as I gazed upon the Junonia he held in his hand!   It was faded and had a broken spot on it, and he said he was thinking about tossing it back to the sea before he asked me to take a look at it.   What a rare find!   One day, I hope to find one of my own.   Until then I can always dream!

Water temp today was 86 degrees.   Air temp was 91 degrees.   Summer time has arrived!   We had a beautiful day of swimming and shelling with lots of shells to be found due to the strong Westerly wind that has pushed shells up on the beaches for the last 7 or so days.   The winds are finally calming down and we are looking forward to some great charters over the Memorial Day weekend.   Happy Holiday Weekend!

Always dreaming of finding submerged treasures on our shelling adventures, my dream came true this morning!!!!  
Mel Fisher, a dreamer, a visionary, a legend and most importantly, the World’s Greatest Treasure Hunter! Mel Fisher did what many have not - he realized his dream during his lifetime. Everyday he insisted, “Today’s the Day”! His mantra continues to inspire the search for the rest of the treasure from the Nuestra Senora de Atocha and the Santa Margarita, the Spanish galleons that sank during a hurricane on September 6, 1622, near Key West, Florida.  
Well today, I got a taste of what that might feel like as we found some treasure of our own that we were able to return to its rightful owners.   This morning 4/21/08 was picture perfect as we picked up the Vickers for a day of shelling and dolpin watching on our paradise waters.   Since the waters were smooth as glass and "Gin Clear" we stopped at one of our favorite spots out in the Gulf for shelling.   After about an hour of shell diving and finding tons of great shells, we made our way to "treasure trough" a trough that is about 6 to 10 feet deep with a strong current running through it.  We were finding tons of great shells when Ashley Vickers came up with a nice looking treasure chest (tackle box).   Upon opening the box, we found all sorts of tackle, two fishing reels, tons of hooks, weights, lures of all kinds and MONEY, Lots of MONEY!   There was $485.00 floating in that tackle box.   It was full of twenty dollar bills!!!!    There was a driver's license in there as well and I was able to reach the owner, who's boat had sank.   Needless to say they were overwhelmed with happiness as they met us at the dock this afternoon!   Their hundred dollar reward went to Ashley Vickers who will spend it on their fantastic vacation to Fort Myers Beach!!!!!    WHAT A DAY!!!!!!

What a fantastic way to spend your birthday!!!!   Brian turned 50 and the dolphins were there to celebrate.   This is the 3rd time for the Cromwells to spend the day with us on the water and it just keeps getting better and better.   Last time on the water with us we had 8 dolphins swimming along with us and that was a record.   Kimberly asked me if there was any way we could ever top that and I kept a positive attitude because anything can happen.   And let me tell you it did happen!!!!   FIFTEEN DOLPHINS on both sides of the boat swimming, jumping, spinning, and smiling for Brian!   It couldn't have happened to a better man!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A VIDEO OF THIS DOLPHIN MANIA

Click Here For 15 Happy Birthday Dolphins!!!!!!

I was awakened this morning by a view across the bay that got me out of bed and into my kayak!
If you have a laptop, turn it upside down to see this picture rightside up!

Anhinga, Snakebird, African Darter, Piano Key Bird, or Skeleton Bird.   By any name this is one beautiful and magnificent bird!   We found this one today (2/20/08) on a custom charter pickup location up the Imperial River in Bonita Springs.

Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille

Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille is simply the best place to eat on Sanibel Island!    If you have never had ceviche, it is basically fish and scallops that are cooked in lime juice.   I have had ceviche many times (in Mexico) but the way Doc's puts it together with Freshly marinated Grouper and Snapper, Bay Scallops, and shrimp tossed with fresh lime juice, cilantro, jalapeños and tomatoes simply cannot be beat.   A trip to Sanibel would not be complete without a stop at Doc Ford's.



Click here for their website

By the way, MARION "DOC" FORD is the protagonist of several novels by Randy Wayne White.  Doc Ford is a marine biologist and ex-government agent, who currently runs a marine biology supply business from a stilt house in Dinkins Bay, Sanibel, Florida. Though he yearns for the quiet, contemplative life of the scientist, his past, and the talents it armed him with, keeps popping up.

I have read most of these novels and absolutely love them!

Captain Mark Hatfield

Terresa and I like to stop there when we are scootering around Sanibel Island. 
The Chicago Dogs are GREAT and the people that work there are always super friendly.