Category Archives: Pine Island

Flying Fish

By Ron | Published February 6, 2012

c59-Mullet Toss-3.jpgc6-Mullet Toss-2.jpgc84-Mullet Toss-1.jpg
For over twenty years now, sometime during the month of February, a very strange phenom occurs in the skies over Matlacha, a “funky little drinking village with a fishing problem,” located between Pine Island and the mainland along the coast of Southwest Florida: Flying Fish, or more specifically, tossed mullet. Why, you may ask?

Because it is time for the annual Mullet Tossing Championship sponsored by the Matlacha Mariners, a non profit group of men raising funds for local charities with several events each year.

Useful information about the event from the Matlacha Mariners web site:

 

The 21st Annual “Southwest Florida Mullet Toss Championship”

 

WHAT IS A MULLET?

A mullet is one of the more popular and plentiful fish indigenous to our area.

It is the only fish with a gizzard and is said to possess mystical properties.

It is also an excellent food source low in fat and high in protein.

WHAT IS A MULLET TOSS?

A Mullet Toss consists of individuals throwing a mullet from a marked foul line down a corridor.

Assuring themselves of a New World Record.

It’s also a great excuse for us all to have a local party with lots of fun for everyone.

    WHY TOSS A MULLET?

It began when local folks were looking for another way to amuse themselves as

northern visitors left the little barrier island heading home again.

Besides the amusement factor, proceeds from the flying fish often go to help

individual (s), groups or other non profit organizations in need of short term financial help.


ARE THE MULLET ALIVE?

No

WHAT HAPPENS TO MULLET AFTER THE MULLET TOSS?

They go into crab traps to continue nature’s cycle.

HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY COME TO THE MULLET TOSS?

Several Hundred.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR TOSSING A MULLET?

Contestants will toss a mullet (approximately 1 lb+)


NO Gloves Allowed and You Cannot Break The Mullet in Half.

Your mullet must be thrown from anywhere behind and up to the foul line, down a designated path.

No stepping over the line during your throw and follow through or your toss may be disqualified.

Throwing your mullet out of bounds may also result in a disqualification.


All measurement results are final and under the discretion of The Matlacha Mariner’s operating officials.


Great images of the 2012 Mullet Toss are here along with lots more pictures from around Pine Island. Click here for Pine Island blog posts.

Also posted in Fish, Matlacha Mariners | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

POD ~ Matlacha Rainbow

By Ron | Published September 26, 2011

click image to enlarge

An early morning shower over Matlacha Pass makes for a beautiful full rainbow – the other end descending into Charlotte Harbor.

Also posted in Photo of the Day, Weather | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fish House ~ One of the Few

By Ron | Published September 16, 2011

click to enlarge

Getting crab pots ready for the season at Jug Creek Seafood, which is one of the few remaining fish houses in Southwest Florida still in operation. Commercial fishing used to be a way of life in this part of the world but not anymore. Cheap imported seafood, net bans, and strict catch limits has all but eliminated the industry. Jug Creek seems to be surviving by offering famous Pine Island clams, as well as awesome stone crabs and blue crabs, mullet (if you can get it, the smoked mullet is most excellent), fresh fin fish, and, of course, shrimp.

Great images of this old fish house.

Also posted in Fish Shacks, Nostalgia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

POD ~ Charlie Pass Summer Day

By Ron | Published August 14, 2011

click image for larger view

Also posted in Beach, Charlie Pass, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Charlie Pass

By Ron | Published July 24, 2011

Charlie Pass is a narrow strip of beach at the southern end of North Captiva Island which is one of the barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. In 2004, category five Hurricane Charlie’s fury cut the island in two. The resulting small inlet or pass was dubbed Charlie Pass by the locals. Time and tides have since closed the pass. What remains are skeletons of toppled trees on the Gulf side and a large area of salt flats on the Pine Island Sound side teaming with life. A variety of wading birds stalk the flat searching for fish fry, fiddler crabs, and other crustaceans. The shelling along the white sand beach on the Gulf side is some of the best, and since the island is accessible only by boat, Charlie Pass is often deserted, especially in the summertime.

This is a brief visit to this special place in pictures and sound on a recent summer’s day.

The video is also on Vimeo.

Also posted in Beach, Charlie Pass, Florida, Water | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

POD ~ Fish Shacks of Pine Island Sound

By Ron | Published July 12, 2011

Fish Shack

 

The Fish Shacks of Pine Island Sound in Southwest Florida

 

Also posted in Fish Shacks, Florida, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tropical Garden ~ Update 2

By Ron | Published July 7, 2011

Bamboo

Six more images have been added to my Tropical Garden Prints Project. As you recall, this is a gallery of black and white botanical images, most of which will be from the tiny garden around our home. The project is ongoing in that I will be adding images throughout the year as the seasons change.

I don’t know exactly where this project will lead, but I hope you will come along by checking back every now and then.

Also posted in Florida, Flowers, Nature, Tropical, Tropical Garden | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tropical Garden ~ Update

By Ron | Published June 5, 2011

Bamboo

I have just added six new images to my Tropical Garden Prints Project. This is a gallery of black and white botanical images, most of which will be from the tiny garden around our home. The project is ongoing in that I will be adding images throughout the year as the seasons change.

I don’t know exactly where this project will lead, but I hope you will come along by checking back every now and then.

Also posted in Florida, Flowers, Nature, Photo Essay, Tropical, Tropical Garden | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Anoles Are Everywhere

By Ron | Published May 25, 2011

I was raised by a maid who came from Martinique
She wore geckos around her neck and bracelets on her feet
A superstitious woman from the land of sugar cane
She’d sing the sun to bed and dance out in the rain
Dance out, dance out, dance out in the rain

Jimmy Buffett

Anole

Anole

Anoles seem to be everywhere this time of year. And they are most welcome being our native pest control as they will eat spiders, cockroaches, ants, and other bugs. The brown Cuban anole is by far the most common in our garden. Anole lizards are frequently and incorrectly called American chameleons or geckos, although they are not closely related to either of those groups. In fact, they are more closely related to iguanas.

They are often quite curious. This fellow will watch me as I am taking photographs for the Tropical Garden Prints Project. In the above photo he is resting and watching from a shell fossil. Below, he is sunning on a dendrobium orchid cane.

Anole

Anole

Also posted in Gardens, Nature, Tropical Garden, Wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Tropical Garden

By Ron | Published May 18, 2011

Bamboo

Much of my photography centers around travel, but there are many interesting subjects to be photographed right here at home. This is the geneses of my new Tropical Garden Prints Project which is starting today. I am creating a gallery of black and white botanical images, most of which will be from the tiny garden around our home. This will be an ongoing project in that I will be adding images throughout the year as plants bloom, bare fruit, and as seasons change.

Archival quality prints will be available in folio form. Details can be found on the introductory page linked above.

I don’t know exactly where this project will lead, but I hope you will come along by checking back every now and then.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Also posted in Florida, Flowers, Nature, Photo Essay, Tropical, Tropical Garden | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment