This time, we left on Friday afternoon. After way too much traffic, we finally pulled in, got the key to the boat, and headed straight to Filippi’s. Here’s a photo of the cool wine glasses…
After pizza and salad and wine, we headed to the boat and collapsed. No, we hung out on deck for a bit, and THEN collapsed, lol.
The next morning, the hubs had work to do on the boat and I went to see my dad. We had a lovely time, sitting and talking and picking lemons and tomatoes and just in general enjoying each other’s company. He’s feeling MUCH better – had a lung x-ray on Friday to make sure the pneumonia is all gone. We talked, laughed, had lunch together, and I fixed his signature lines on his email. Then he seemed tired, so I went to Starcrafts to spend time with Teresa and her sis, Donna. Spent a couple hours there (and had to buy stuff, seriously that shop is FUN) and had some time with Teresa that kind of blew my mind. She’s a spirit medium, you see, and – well, I’ll keep it to myself. But if you ever need to see a spirit medium, I highly recommend her.
So, I finally get back to the boat, change clothes and head up top with a small glass of wine. I hear such a ruckus that Tom passes me my camera, and I spend the next – gee, almost an hour – taking photos. Here’s why…
This guy was cleaning fish. Then tossing the offal into the water.
The seagulls caught on…
And then another player came into the game.
The seal would grab the slab of fish and dive with it. The birds would mill around for a bit, and without warning the seal would come up and fling it a good ten feet away – the birds would swarm, grab it, tear it, and the seal would come up from underneath them and scare them away – which enabled him to bring it up and fling it again. Was he playing with the seagulls? It certainly looked that way!
Until a no-nonsense bird landed, and decided to take over at the source.
Needless to say, this bird got his food.
Then it became a free-for-all, with the birds and the seal playing catch (or was that hide n’ seek?) – fun stuff!
But the seal tended to win…
…unless the pelican did.
So I basked in the frolicking of nature (with a helping hand from man, flinging yellowtail into the water) and took over 400 photos. I was also lucky enough to get splashed by the seal! Or maybe it was another seal…there were two there, by the end of the evening. My guess is the seal had hidden some fish bits down toward the bottom, where the seabirds would not go.
All in all, it was a wonderful ending to an amazingly emotional day. Here’s another cool photo…
Tom and I ate, and drank wine, and at the end of our day, we were greeted with this lovely creature. Luckily we had the camera with us, which is NOT normal…

The Great Blue Heron. They like to haunt the piers around Shelter Cove Marina – there are four or five of them who are there before full sunrise, and always after sunset.
So even though the drive back took us almost as long as the drive there, I feel refreshed. I needed this break, and thanks to our lovely friend and my lovely husband, I got it.
May you take a break in your daily routine when you really need it. And maybe when you don’t. Sending love and hugs out to the Universe! What an amazing planet we live on!
~oOo~
I’m glad you had a mini-vacation from life. When those days involve water, they always seem more special.
I hope you’re feeling refreshed and ready to take on the activities of daily life. I suspect while you do you’ll be smiling.
Lynne, it was perfect. Exactly what I needed – bless the hubby!
just reading this post relaxed me. What fun.
How lovely. I’m always interested in how the animal kingdom interacts. Your photos are gorgeous and really tell a story.
Thanks, Roben. I love digital photography!
Maria, I had a blast. The birds and the seal garnered quite a bit of attention, but I had a front row seat!
Awesome pictures. Was this Shelter Island NY? I went there a count of times for vacation. A friend of ours was loaded a home so our two families went. My kids still talk about that place and that it was there favorite vacation of all time. They could watch the water, sail, swim, listen to music, eat or just hang out. Everyone could do something together or be by themselves. I have to admit that I loved it too.
Pat, sorry but not New York – this is Shelter Island Harbor, California, right near the Point Loma Naval Base (San Diego). Every morning at 8 over on North Island, they play the national anthem; and at night at 8 they play a different piece of music. You can hear it all over the place. Very patriotic, lol!
The seal playing with the birds is a scream. I’m so glad you had your camera! And I’m glad you got a mini-retreat. I hope your dad is feeling better each day. One of these weekends, give me a call. I’d love to meet you at the marina for a photo shoot and lunch!