2014-04 Shark fishing from the dock

Gary has been fishing for shark from the dock at night, and has hooked onto some big ones, many of which have managed to break his line within a few moments. He recently "upsized" to 100-pound test and this allowed him to actually bring one in! 

One night we were alone on the dock initially, but with the "zing!" of the line when the shark hit, soon there were a dozen or so spectators out on the dock to see what he landed. It was about a 45 minute fight, with the shark zig-zag'ing out to the west, then the east, then north...but eventually Gary had it close enough to the dock for us to see its dorsal fin and tail and guestimate it was a 7-8 foot shark, most likely bull shark.

Ultimately though, the shark tangled the line around the snorkel area bouey line and then he was stuck. Sharks can't breathe if they can't swim, so Gary and another brave soul grabbed a skiff from shore and paddled out to cut the massive man-eater free. Reel life heros. As we watched, the shark had stopped struggling and disappeared from the surface. All concerned onlookers feared the worst. Fortunately though, upon the approach of the rescuers, the shark mustered up the strength to break the leader and swim free!


Gary reeling in a big one

Launching a skiff to rescue a shark



Returning victorious with all limbs intact

Stormy waters at Jolly Roger

Here are videos from a recent storm...a boat tied at the dock came loose and proceeded to tear up the dock,  ripping a dozen boards loose. Fortunately, two brave souls risked life and limb to get ahold of the lines and re-tie the boat securely where it could ride out the remaining storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRi_1I6CsmE

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

The Golden Orb Spider

Throughout Florida we have encountered this little creature but in particular abundance here in the keys. The Golden Orb Spider is not the largest spider but is known for its very large and strong web. They are common in mangrove and and tropical woodlands called hammocks. When hiking in the keys, you have to keep your eyes sharp and watch for these lest you walk through a web. See if you can spot the little beasties in these photos I took at Crane Point.

Interesting fact: the silk of this spider's web is almost as strong as Kevlar.

 

Great White Heron taking on the pelicans at Jolly Roger

Video taken at the fish cleaning station here at Jolly Roger...the Heron impressively flexing its feathers and squawking to back down the pelicans and win the fish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yks2-zpK3Cc

2014-02 Lunch at Hog Heaven and a stop at Windley Key Fossil Reef SP

Hog Heaven in Islamorada was recommended by friends so we headed up there for lunch on our day off. Cute decor with an island theme inside (wicker motorbikes and bamboo on the walls), I am sure it is a party scene at night. We very much enjoyed the peaceful ambience on their dock and relaxing on their private little island with sandy beach.


Ready for lunch at Hog Heaven

Their private marina - pull up in your boat!



The bar in back; seating towards the bar and also looking out over the marine in to the Atlantic



Gary fish-watching as we wait for our lunch on the dock

Relaxing on the sandy beach

A calm day on the Atlantic

 

Just across the road from Hog Heaven is Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park. This was a limestone quarry on some of the "highest land" in the keys. A quarry anywhere else in the keys would hit water about 3 feet down, whereas this is 15ft elevation. They even have hills! The rangers are helpful, the visitor center has excellent and informative displays about the formation of the keys and the limestone quarries. They also provide a guidebook for all the trail markers so you can learn about Florida trees, barbwire cactus, and the fossilized reef which makes such beautiful limestone. I went in and chatted with a ranger while Gary wandered about outside the building. So...he missed the ranger's helpful warning about "Poisonwood", a tree which is purported to be "worse than poison oak". Of course, I don't go around touching stuff anyway...not with the plentitude of spiders and scorpions and other critters in the keys! So I walked out of the building, met up with Gary, and we hit the trail. Immediately Gary is on the side of the trail, hands all over a tree trunk and practically hugging the tree...what the??? Okay, well some like to learn the hard way.

Gumbo Limbo "tourist tree" wood is very soft and was sought after for carving carousel horses



the quarry wall






amazing fossilized brain coral

2014-01 Jolly Roger in January

Park was full to the brim; we were very busy and very tired at the end of every work day. But rewarded with a beautiful waterfront, kayaking, snorkeling and fabulous sunsets...

Northern winds carry sea grasses into the harbor

Sea grasses building in front of the fish cleaning station

Waves crash over the seawall, grasses collecting on the walkway and at the boat ramp



The Pavilion



Pelicans on the dock at the finger slips

Gary with his electric motor hooked up to the kayak



Kayaking the lazy way with electric motor



sunset from the harbor

sunset with pelican



a nice spot on the dock for sunset

pelicans flying by



pelican on Tiki Island



Tiki and fish cleaning station at sunset

pelicans waiting for scraps

2014-01 A Morning in Islamorada

One day off, we headed out early for breakfast at the popular Mangrove Mike's in Islamorada, then walked thru their art shop / gallery, reputed by some to be the best gallery in the Keys. All local artists, some beautiful work, unfortunately no photos allowed so can't share with you, but this is a nice stop on your way down the keys...just watch for the big Great White shark in front.

Stopped at World Wide Sportsman (BassPro) and saw the full-sized replica of Hemingway's 38' boat Pilar. Hemingway's actual boat is owned by the Cuban government and on display at Museo Ernest Hemingway in Havana, Cuba. 

Unique lines in the parking lot!

On the way home from Islamorada, we stopped at Anne's Beach which is a beautiful spot for a picnic lunch!  

 

Gary dropped me off so I could run 3-Mile Bridge; it was drizzly and by the end, it was downright pouring. I was drenched and my only companions, the pelicans!