Is it Surf and Turf?

As of March 3, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Steps: 1,603,314
Miles: 679.64


In Florida the only snow-like "white stuff" on the ground seems to be a bunch of White Ibixes eating bugs after the lawn sprinkler shuts off.


Close-up of a White Ibix. Looks sort of... well, alien with that bill huh? The bird uses this bill for probing for various fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as insects.


A school in Florida means a bunch of fish! On Grassy Key there is an old quarry that Henry Flagler's railroad used to get stone for the right of way. This quarry has filled with water and was the home of a "aqua farm" and fish hatchery. The quarry is now for sale - and open to the public for those that wish to feed and swim with the fishes - and I mean feed them fish food and swim with a snorkle, not mobster "hit" bodies!

The virtual walker returns in the next posting.

Waterworld Aliens

Kevin Costner's film "Waterworld", a 1995 post-apocalyptic science fiction film, was a box office disaster but it could have been saved if Kevin had included a trio of orange colored Aliens in a supporting (pun intended) role because (as everyone knows) everyone loves an orange colored alien or three.


While out on a sunset cruise around Duck Key, Florida, I noticed the folks observing the setting sun being observed by... these three guys (or gals or ...its?)

Imprisoned in the black milk crate is a Floating Orange Sphere Bobber that squeeked everytime the boat rocked - was it in distress? in pleasure? I do not know, and I do not want to know!

Also secured against movement, possibly to protect the little ones that would try to pet it, is a Orange Slot-Sided Topedo Bobber. This one is definately "tied up".

The final member of the orange colored alien trio is the fairly common Orange Ring Bobber with his? hers? its? face wedged into the side of a white bucket. Oh my, is or was, this creature being (gasp!) waterboarded?

Just think of the roles they could have portrayed in Waterworld... Oh wait, no one saw the movie, so you wouldn't be able to, would you?

*Note - no Orange Coneheads were photographed while making this post.

Sunset Cruise from Duck Key

As of March 2, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Steps: 1,585,392
Miles: 672.29


As the Sun is setting, a anvil shaped cloud moves into position directly between the Sun and the horizon. It didn't spoil the beauty or awesomeness of the sunset, but rather changed its complexion. Sunset on the water has another dimension to it, as the color of the water sparkles changes as the light changes.


A few minutes later the Sun's brilliance disappears and is replaced by streams of colored light.


Another tower of clouds is lit by the light of the fading sun. This one directly behind me as we move along in our sunset cruise boat.


This photograph was taken from Conch Key, looking over the water to Duck Key.

Next time, a trio of Orange Aliens seen on the cruise boat!

Captains Bob and Chris

As of March 1, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Steps: 1,566,100
Miles: 664.37


My Dad, proudly wearing his Captain Bob hat, holding a 30 pound Bonita or Skipjack Tuna that I caught. My dad holds a United States Coast Guard "Master" licence and is "legally" a Captain.


Captain Chris Walter and Captain Bob give me some grins with a non-smiling 20 Pound Yellowtail Snapper. We all caught several of these fish in this size and smaller ones too. Captain Chris is a Florida charter boat captain and also has United States Coast Guard Captain's licence.

I am just the first mate, rope thrower, cook, bottle washer, and fish puller-inner on good days.

On bad days, I am just a line tangler, ballast and/or bait drowner.

More on Chris Walter's Get Bent fishing charters