60http://blog.sunsetride.comen Captain HattyCaptain Hattycaptainhatty@mac.comnohttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/08/26/tropical-storm-fay-brought-in-the-shells.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyTropical Storm Fay washed some nice shells up on the beaches and sandbars for sure. We took Rick, Lisa and their wonderful son Samuel for some post Fay shelling today and found quite a variety of shells. We waited until noon to embark so as to catch today's low tide. This strategy paid huge dividends because the current visibility in the water is zero so we had to find the shells while walking the sandbars exposed by the low tide. Some of what we found (never taking live shells) were: Horseshoe Crab ...Shellinghttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/08/26/tropical-storm-fay-brought-in-the-shells.aspx#Commentsf93f02b8-267f-42a7-b421-c238a3022fd4Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:15:55 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/08/25/tropical-store-fay.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyTropical Storm Fay has finally left Florida. Unfortunately, she left a lot of devastation behind due mostly to flooding. We had to cancel charters all last week, but are now back on the water and happy about that! The waters are churned up in the Gulf right now but the shelling on the beaches is really good due to the 5 days of heavy surf along the beaches. Our waters should start clearing up and get back to the beautiful blue colors and clarity by late this week. Below is a picture ...Local Infohttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/08/25/tropical-store-fay.aspx#Comments5c3fcad4-ea14-4abc-8c19-60b2c8198f3bMon, 25 Aug 2008 10:46:55 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/25/tarpon.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyPaul Wilson and his family got a special treat this morning when we came upon this local fisherman landing this smallish tarpon - known by the locals as "The Silver King"Tarpons are large coastal fish prized by anglers. They grow up to 8 feet in length and sometimes weigh 200 pounds. When swimming in oxygen-poor water, tarpons can breathe air from the surface. Tarpon are superb sport-fish, with a long-lasting, powerful fight generally including numerous leaps. In Florida, tarpon are only catch and release. While edible, they are seldom eaten, as their flesh is ...Fishhttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/25/tarpon.aspx#Comments1ad73e08-5dd9-4bd2-8392-8126f2229c25Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:55:15 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/22/the-state-shell-of-florida.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyIn 1969, the Florida State Legislature named the Horse Conch the state shell. It is native to the marine waters around Florida and can grow to a length of 24 inches. Young shells have orange color; adult shells have orange apertures. The shell acts as an external skeleton of a soft-bodied animal that inhabits it. Until today, we have found maybe half a dozen or so Florida Horse Conchs over the last 4 years of charters. Until Today!Today we took the Cox's to Cayo Costa for some snorkeling and shell diving and were blessed with dropping ...Shellshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/22/the-state-shell-of-florida.aspx#Comments5dda9b9e-cf23-413e-b650-8650ed7e9a17Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:03:36 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/10/manatee-mania--just-incredible-and-romantic.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyOnce 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 ...manateeshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/07/10/manatee-mania--just-incredible-and-romantic.aspx#Comments40101aef-2e61-4696-9f11-8beba0a6cabaThu, 10 Jul 2008 15:28:13 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/06/02/mating-manatees.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyTerresa 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 ...manateeshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/06/02/mating-manatees.aspx#Commentsb3df5522-3b64-477e-b79e-c02bb1ae8589Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:04:51 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/06/01/junonia-finally.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyWe 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 ...Shellshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/06/01/junonia-finally.aspx#Commentsa9e913f1-5103-43e3-8c8f-b2e7ee4c1144Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:35:59 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/05/23/things-are-heating-up-around-here.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyWater 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! ...Local Infohttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/05/23/things-are-heating-up-around-here.aspx#Comments5978e830-4544-4d3f-ab78-bbef662c5a13Fri, 23 May 2008 17:13:11 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/04/21/todays-the-day-we-finally-found-a-treasure-chest-full-of-money.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyAlways 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 ...Charter Experienceshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/04/21/todays-the-day-we-finally-found-a-treasure-chest-full-of-money.aspx#Commentsbb023893-9ced-45f6-a1c0-359861288c15Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:19:12 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/04/01/birthday-dolphins.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyWhat 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 ...dolphinshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/04/01/birthday-dolphins.aspx#Commentsbc5a6bbe-67ea-4652-bb1f-efbb4dec606bTue, 01 Apr 2008 19:10:55 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/26/upside-down-or-rightside-up--taken-from-my-kayak.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyI 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! ...wildlifehttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/26/upside-down-or-rightside-up--taken-from-my-kayak.aspx#Comments16b780b5-7bae-4e39-b26b-90236e1f6a03Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:55:27 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/20/snakebird.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyAnhinga, 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. ...wildlifehttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/20/snakebird.aspx#Commentsaf028e48-0370-490a-a346-2c358e27ad82Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:13:39 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/19/a-trip-to-sanibel-would-not-be-complete-without-a-stop-at.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyDoc Ford's Rum Bar and GrilleDoc 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 ...Opinionhttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/19/a-trip-to-sanibel-would-not-be-complete-without-a-stop-at.aspx#Comments715ab912-1b59-43b4-b9cb-916060c4f817Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:11:17 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/07/schnappers-hots--sanibels-greatest-dog.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyTerresa 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. ...Opinionhttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/02/07/schnappers-hots--sanibels-greatest-dog.aspx#Comments4521cb89-b73d-44cd-b10f-9358c8d78c3fTue, 26 Feb 2008 15:40:40 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/01/29/directions-from-naples-to-fort-myers-beach-fishtale-marina.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyFrom Naples, go North on either I-75 or 41 Tamiami Trail to Bonita Beach Road. Head West on Bonita Beach Road all the way to the beach where it will curve to the right and turn into Hickory Blvd. After a few miles on Hickory Blvd., you will be crossing over Big Hickory Pass bridge, then after another mile or so you will cross over New Pass bridge, then after another couple of miles you will cross over Big Carlos Pass bridge and onto Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach). After Crossing Big Carlos bridge, ...Directionshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2008/01/29/directions-from-naples-to-fort-myers-beach-fishtale-marina.aspx#Comments447f9fb4-b217-409f-b04f-60437bd8f419Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:31:57 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/11/01/trick-or-treat.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyThe Scarlet Ibis is not native to Florida. It is native to South America. If it is seen in Florida, it is most likely a captive that has escaped into the wild. The escaped ibis will mate with the native white ibis and eventually the offspring will lose their color and turn white./images/97075-89726/scarlett.jpg" border="0" width="700">/images/97075-89726/redwhite.jpg" border="0" width="700"> ...wildlifehttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/11/01/trick-or-treat.aspx#Comments91a2d5ba-085b-45d3-83fc-075b80d91f94Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:00:58 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/28/we-now-have-tshirts.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyBy popular demand, we now have t-shirts available. Not just any t-shirts either, these are custom drawn t-shirts showing most of the things we see on our charters in a very cool "tribal design" look. So don't forget to ask about them on your charter because we always bring some along./images/97075-89726/CIMG0001.jpg" border="0" width="700">/images/97075-89726/CIMG0005.jpg" border="0" width="700">/images/97075-89726/CIMG0007.jpg" border="0" width="700">/images/97075-89726/CIMG0012.jpg" border="0" width="576">/images/97075-89726/CIMG0017.jpg" border="0" width="700"> ...T-Shirtshttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/28/we-now-have-tshirts.aspx#Commentsbd164f10-e91a-4f65-8a4b-ae1e30a04fbfTue, 29 Jan 2008 21:48:03 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/23/average-temperatures-air-and-water.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyIn answer to a frequently asked question, below are average air and water temps for the Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island beaches:Air Temps Water Temps Jan 54º - 75º Jan Mid 60'sFeb 54º - 75º ...Local Infohttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/23/average-temperatures-air-and-water.aspx#Commentsaf17bf91-3113-40a6-bbd9-f9034128d749Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:03:41 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/02/another-nice-email-excerpt.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyHey Captain Mark and First Mate Terresa!We got home safely and reluctantly last night. I have some pictures that I was going to send to you from the pirate ship but left my pic card at home and my internet service here at the winery is much faster, so I will send the pictures tomorrow. By the way, do you know who the artist is of the song “I’d love to be a pirate”, that was kinda our theme song on our way home and we wanted to get it for our Ipods as well. I have looked ...Chartershttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/10/02/another-nice-email-excerpt.aspx#Comments3fe230ee-e061-4eb7-93e6-c846e692f58bTue, 02 Oct 2007 20:56:15 GMThttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/09/20/happy-dolphins-giggling-and-smiling-email-excerpt.aspx?ref=rssCaptain HattyThank you for one of the most amazing experiences of our lives! Being on the water with you; seeing the beautiful estuary teeming with life; witnessing the miracle of the two dolphin mothers with their babies was nothing short of spectacular. We are sure those dolphins were giggling and smiling in the water. You two make the trip! Your warm spirit, your enthusiasm about nature, your choice in music (way to give up the corporate life to pursue your dreams!), all made the day special. We will be calling you for another great adventure the ...Chartershttp://blog.sunsetride.com/2007/09/20/happy-dolphins-giggling-and-smiling-email-excerpt.aspx#Comments19d9ad46-da10-4135-8b4a-f28ec4ed8ddbThu, 20 Sep 2007 13:13:48 GMT