Fogged out and hearing voices in the Ten Thousand Islands!

A blanket of fog covered the sandbar as I was

waking up hearing strange voices in the mist.

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Aerial view camping in the mist on Second Chance sandbar in the Ten Thousand Islands.

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Camp Kayakfari in the mist hanging over the sandbar.

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One voice said:

“I’m up to my knees in water.”

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I heard voices in the mist so I stepped out to investigate.

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Another said:

“There’s some big ones here!”

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Nothing but thick fog over the sandbar.

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Those were the words I was hearing while waking up on a sandbar shoal, camping in the 10000 Islands of the Everglades. I thought this very strange snapping out of my slumber because last I knew there was only myself and my paddling partner on this island of sorts. I stepped to look outside only to find a complete white-out with thick fog rolling through. For a while I couldn’t see anybody, but only heard voices in the distance.

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A surreal foggy landscape in the mist.

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Voices of many shellers combing over every inch of the shoreline.

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After I was able to put two and two together, I realized that the voices were those of shell collectors who had somehow arrived on the sandbar in the fog at daybreak!

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Dozens of shell hunters seeking to add to their collections.

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The place was suddenly full of people, wading and shelling the shoreline and tidal flats. My paddling partner Leah also emerged from her tent to see what was going on.

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Leah also dressed up for the occasion!

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It was actually the extreme low tide that had brought all the shellers out, right at sunrise!

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The sun kept moving up but the fog was holding.

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The shellers were on a mission.

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Leah tried to say ‘hello’, but no one noticed.

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Busy picking, they seemed oblivious to our presence on the sandbar.

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“Wait, I want to ask you something!”

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But only shells were on their minds.

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I set out to investigate and find the origin of these people on the sandbar.

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They just kept moving through that white mist on the fogged out sandbar!

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Smaller tidal pools form in sandbar pockets.

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A discovery on the north end!

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After walking through the fog I found a half dozen or so chartered boats on the north end. The shellers came from far and wide to be here at low tide.

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Charter boats in the mist.

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They were avid shell collectors and the fog would

not deter them from their mission!

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Nothing on the sandbar escaped the eyes of this Osprey! 😮

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The so called “Second Chance” sandbar is an ever changing and dynamic collection of shifting sands in Gullivan Bay in the Ten Thousand Islands. There can be one, two or more small splintered off sandbars just barely above the high tide line. The area lies about a mile southeast off the tip of Cape Romano and has been closed annually for nesting birds since 2001. It is a part of the Rookery Bay Research Reserve and Second Chance is also a designated Critical Wildlife Area (CWA). As such, access is restricted with the entire area closed off from March 1st to August 31, or whenever nesting birds leave. Vessels of any type, people and their pets are prohibited from entering the Second Chance CWA during that time. This helps to insure that the many species of shorebirds have a place to nest free of mainland predators and people!

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Some shellers even made it to the other, smaller sandbar.

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A desert mirage in the sea?

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The entire sandbar was meticulously searched.

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After several hours the boat captains ventured out into the fog to shout that time was nearly up. The shellers got their money’s worth, and the sandbar became quiet again!

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The tip of Cape Romano about a mile away, January 2022.

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The four remaining Cape Romano domes in the mist, January 2022.

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Several times the fog would lift, only to come back again. It finally relented, allowing boating to resume.

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The hot sun finally burned all the fog away.
On the fine ART of living in a lens Bubble!

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It took until about noon for the fog to finally burn away in the sun. But what an experience! It’s a rare treat to witness these kinds of fog white-outs in South Florida.

I was glad the voices in the mist woke me up!

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Happiness is camping on a sandbar in the 10000 Islands.
On the fine ART of living in a lens Bubble!

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Enjoy!

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! Bless UP

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© 2023 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com

All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

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DISCLAIMER:

The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂