Barefoot Beach Preserve 👣 A Shell-uva Beach -

Shelling, like astrophotography, is hobby best completed when one takes into account the moon, the season, location. With a big, bright full Cold Moon in the sky, strong winds and within the winter season, I was hopeful to get some shelling in while visiting Florida’s Suncoast. Unfortunately with the long itinerary and short hours of a winter day–with ton of beachgoers set up to enjoy 2020’s last hurrah–energy was a bit depleted. But Barefoot Beach Preserve in Bonita Springs had the goods right at our feet, sending me back to New York with a handful of beauties with minimal effort.

Trying to say “hello” to Texas, the Gulf-side beach had a narrow shore and a strange drive through some fancy pants seaside homes–all seeming fake, like a painted set display.

It also had a Red Tide Warning at level High in effect. I had no idea what this was but felt its impact right away. A tickling itch in my throat. Looking into it now on my couch in Brooklyn, I can report that it’s a bit of a big deal–responsible for fish kills and respiratory irritation in humans. Caused by the bacteria Karenia brevis, a Red Tide is a harmful algae bloom responsible for harming sea life and those who ingest sea life, while causing respiratory irritation for humans who simply set foot onto the beach apparently.

Dorking it up briefly in the water. Despite the Karenia brevis, the dip stripped my body of tension. The sea is so healing–it’d downright euphoric to be in for me. I never want to be far from it.

Someone left this Happy New Years message. It was so nice to spend New Years Eve in the sun, the water, exploring abandoned places and then a star shoot at a certified dark sky park. Though 2020 was challenging, I think I made the best I could with it.