Lover's Key State Park has been my favorite beach since childhood. I remember fondly the cool mornings when we would sneak in before dawn. We were on a mission to find sea shells. You never knew what mysterious gifts the tide would unfurl. First, you would cross the wooden tidal bridges that connect the key to the mainland. The sun just a blush on the horizon. Then, with flash lights in hand you would search the shore for precious jewels. At least they were to me!
By the time you reached the end of the key the sun was high enough to warm your back on the return. I usually had a bag of conchs, tulips and cat's eyes. And the rest of the day to picnic, sun tan and watch for raccoons. They would steal your lunch if you weren't careful. And the sea gulls would get the rest.
Nature's sculpture
Now days I'm happy to simply photograph someone else's shells. And stroll...
But Lover's Key holds more than shells and sunshine. Birds like this osprey love it too.
They were hard at work feeding their young.
I love the pop up head!
I also love how their head feathers blow around in the breeze. Majestic.
A white egret standing tough.
Lover's Key has changed over the years. You probably can't sneak in anymore. And the old wooden tidal walkways are now wide and strong enough for long trams. It's not quite so rustic and wild. But still better than a beach lined with condos and restaurants. The good old and new days.
And I'm giving a shout out to my friend Danielle who was at the beach with us on this day. Hi Danielle! We will have to do this again this year! See you soon. Siesta Key this time.
P.S. I thought I'd share two new links. http://www.365daysofbirds.com/ A Minnesota bird blog. The blog title says it all. And...
I recently read this book and I highly recommend it for bird lovers. Michele Raffin tells a humorous, heart felt and engaging tale of her life among the exotic and endangered!
Bonus Random 5 Friday tidbits
1) I missed Random 5 Friday! I love that I can do some creative writing. Or post what ever trips my trigger.
2) My birthday is March 1st. My age? None of your business.
3) My father in law Jim and my Dad Sidney both have a birthday on March 10. Go figure. Happy Birthday Jim. See you soon!
4) I have a date with Harry Potter in March. Do you know where?
He wrote it in sea shells!
5) My husband proposed to me on the beach at Lover's Key State Park. We were shelling early in the morning. I was on a mission to find shells. Oblivious. Meanwhile, he dropped behind. Then, on the way back he popped the question. And look what he did! He wrote it with sea shells. He knew Lover's Key would be the perfect place. It was.
Plus, if you missed last week's Scarlet Macaw photos, don't forget to scroll down!
31 comments:
I would enjoy this place, the birds and scenery are lovely. The Osprey shots are awesome and I love the pretty Egret. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
Pretty shells!
Wonderful osprey photos!
Fantastic selection of finds on that beach and wonderful to see the Osprey and the young. Have a great weekend.
Fabulous shots of the osprey.
That beach is a paradise!
I am with you...I love to walk on the beach and find shells. Like you it has been something I did in childhood!
What a sweet baby peaking out of that nest!
I love to look at your pictures and dream of summer... You always hit me at just the right moment. :-)
And we have a feeling it would feel so good to sink your feet into the warm sand!
love
tweedles
Ospreys....one of my favorite 'shore' birds. And ALL your photos are magnificent.
Thank you for joining with your link at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend!!!
awesome osprey and egret shots! lovely place!
Beautiful photographs and love those shells, we used to collect them too when we were kids. Now-a-days a beach trip means sitting in peace, photographing or just a walk watching the waves, sunrise and sunsets :)
What glorious childhood memories, I don't have any like that, free to sneak down by the seaside hunting for the seashells. The osprey shots are great, he does look very magnificent with his head feathers blowing in the wind. The osprey chick looks so comical with the strange red eyes and flabbergasted expression.
What a beautiful place!
Beautiful series of images of the shells.
I love the Osprey, very nice pictures of them.
Best regards, Irma
Lover's Key looks to be a beautiful place to stroll, birdwatch and take photos.
i STILL like finding stone and shell treasures . . i suspect some of never grow up. (giggle)
Winter has gone on long enough and I would love to walk on a beach with sun on my hair. Love the photos, especially the one with the seashells.
Oh yes, I can see why it is so special!
Gorgeous beach pictures! Hard to imagine a nice sunny beach right now as I'm buried in snow in New England! I don't think we will see grass lawns here until deep into April, if not May. Sigh.
Sounds like paradise! But over-run by development...not good. Still, your photos were wonderful and I enjoyed the visit very much! Love the osprey particularly!
Love all of the seashell images and the Osprey are grand~
Always something to take a picture of if you are at the beach.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
So pretty and looks warm! I forget what warm is... thanks for joining in R5F this week Sharon. xo
How perfect is that as a proposal! It's a great beach and I can't believe we haven't been there yet this season.
You've pictured my idea of heaven! The nesting ospreys delight me! I would love to be walking there. What a romantic man (and clever) to propose to you at your favorite place.
Enjoyable post. The shots of the Osprey were wonderful as was the Egret. Wasn't it fun to have Nancy back with R5F again. - What a neat way to be proposed too. Very romantic.
What a romantic proposal! Good job, Wagner!
I saw an osprey once in MN, didn't realize they had such a wide range!
It looks like a wonderful place to spend some time. Apparently, it can be very romantic as well. Great photos Sharon!
Hey Sharon,
What a fantastic shots!!
Great all the special shells.
And wonderful shots of the birds, as that bird of prey and the white egret. So very nice!!
Many greetings,
Marco
Beautiful Lovers Key. What a perfect place for a proposal. I have wanted to be there on Valentine's Day every year since we've been coming to FM, but have still to time it right. Lovely photos.
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