ORIGINAL TROPICAL ART by HAL STOWERS
WALKING TREE, INC. P.O. BOX 468, CRYSTAL BEACH, FLORIDA 34681 U.S.A.
TAMPA BAY AREA PHONE 727-786-9377
ARTIST/AUTHORS –
LIFE BLENDING® LOG
LIFE BLENDING LOG
by the
"Original Life Blenders,"
Hal & B.J. Stowers
To update our friends around the globe on
what is happening here,
on the Gulf of Mexico, West Coast of Florida
– a special setting – in God's big beautiful world…
Summer 2008
Liquid Light…
FALL… Full of
Pristine Opportunities
October 12, 2008
Watch for the low tides and be the First to take a step onto a skinny water sand bar – or just exposed silky smooth sand the color of an open Sunray Venus Clam. Terns, Skimmers and Pelicans are gathering in greater numbers… See Dolphin beginning their October acrobatic leaps… Osprey chasing Eagles away from their territory… Ghost Crabs and their babies scurrying and hiding from Night Herons. The early Fall sky is a beautiful Blue and the Gulf waters range from clear Greens to Blue Violet, diced with energizing pods of bait fish and Mackeral in chase. Sea Oats that have survived are poetic waves of golden color… and those that still hold on to battered North and South Points – are now bronze remnants of summer storms. Scan the beach grasses for the just emerging purple haze of blooms that transforms the beachscape into real Tropical Fall…
Beloved SUMMER… Here again!
September 10, 2008
Arrived at Honeymoon Island beach this morning -- but there was no "beach"! Hurricane Ike is swirling west across the Gulf, pushing high tides and waves into the sand dunes. Caught a glimpse of brimming "Hurricane Pass" to the south… Such drama, high energy and motion… it's most humbling, beautiful and poetic. Our thoughts and prayers are with those folks where this giant storm will make landfall. No matter what a storm's projected path, we must always be prepared and remain on guard…
September 7, 2008
HURRICANES and GATORS!
Our morning walk took place at Honeymoon Island. I explained to Hal "my head feels like it stayed in bed!"… A great Miami Hurricanes vs UF Gators football game had kept us up later than usual last night. Walking on the beach was dreamlike -- as we say -- like walking in a 360 degree open air cathedral!
As I log this in, the doorbell rings -- it's a long time buddy and "Gator neighbor" with a gift of fresh caught HOG FISH!!! -- can't get better than that!
Outer spiral bands of recent Hurricane winds and tides had transported the sand… exposing areas of rocks along the beach. We treat these rocky segments as "obstacle courses," traversing them as an "eye foot coordination challenge"… Regardless, we embrace this glorious beach Setting with its surround sounds of nature… and wade out to the indescribably lovely and smooth sand bars.
July 4, 2008
4TH OF JULY REPORT on
One of the WORLD'S
BEST BEACHES !!!
It was a cool "JULY SKY" morning at Honeymoon Island after yesterday's much needed drenching rains! The shore birds and their babies were happy after an early low tide feeding. We were thrilled to see GAZILLIONS of tiny new coquinas -- although only about an eighth of an inch long, the tiny almost translucent clams were already patterned and rainbow-hued – constantly appearing and disappearing into the wet sand and surf at water's edge. In the skinny water on a sand bar Hal examined a small shell with a tiny hermit crab that exhibited unbelievable energy and delicate minute pinchers.
Families and fisherman began arriving to set up their beach camps for the day's celebration. As the sun rose higher, we had already embraced myriad Pristine Moments and escaped back to beloved Happy Bayou. As we sat on our deck having a peanut butter snack…
Hal said – "I'm 'coquinaed and hermited'…
It makes you think about the right things –
and mellows you out."
June 26, 2008
After the evening's great storm, a cool misty morning greeted us as we walked through the mangrove love tunnel, coffee in hand to begin UnFolding on the dock. Within moments our attention turned to a highly spirited young dolphin working the mangrove edge… under our dock… and then zigzagged back and forth into the mangrove… indulging on fingerling mullet for breakfast! He swirled about us, herding the bait fish – and then as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone. Such high energy and inspiration to begin a day!
The pungent sweet cabbage palm blossoms permeate the early morning air and new sky mountains are brewing on the horizon – promising another dramatic round of late day summer storms with lightning and torrential rain.
Arriving at Honeymoon Island, the dunes are now lush with sea oats in full bloom – dancing in the sea breeze. A small brown beach bunny, nibbling on fresh new growth after yesterday's rain, greets us at the boardwalk leading to the pristine shoreline. This morning's Gulf of Mexico mood is tranquil and friendly – lovely soft surf sounds abound. Today's beach walk will surely be memorable… As we come around lively Pompano Point and look south across Hurricane Pass to beautiful Caladesi Island and its exquisite electric white beach, we pass one of the "regulars" and he says "Isn't the Earth beautiful today!"
June 8, 2008
A most beautiful Spring is now turning Summer… Almost every day there has been a wonderful breeze (only one last week was hot and still)… mornings and evenings are pleasantly cool on our dock, overlooking Happy Bayou, for breakfast and second level covered deck for lunch and late dinner… In fact, it has been heavenly… little green herons, recently hatched in our mangrove, are flying back and forth from their nest to the dock to the mangrove roots across the bayou… osprey are helping their young perfect their flying and fishing… diamond back terrapins surface with babies on their backs to watch the sunrise… schools of all sizes of mullet are performing their water ballet and the bayou is absolutely teaming with all sorts of small fry… roseate couples arrive every evening – spooning at low tide… dozens of manatee have come through feeding and mating in undisturbed respite… bees have been harvesting black mangrove nectar and now the fallen creamy small blossoms decorate the floating detritus and carpet the ground – as though a wedding party recently passed through… red mangrove seeds dangle – anxious for tree crabs to release them for the plunge and journey to become new wetlands… the magical happenings and miracles go on and on…
At Honeymoon Island oyster catchers dine on the zillions of rainbow colored coquinas that have recently begun to appear in the receding surf. We feast our eyes on the myriad colors and patterns of these delicate small clams that seem to be the most pristine creatures possible. On shore birds are nesting and in the water a pageant goes on…at Pompano Point we have seen large dolphin herding fish up close to the shore including schools of snook – the very largest of which seem to follow after the dolphin as they turn. In the morning liquid light is the silver "flash dance" of bait fish pods. The shifting sand dunes are growing large – adorable brown beach bunnies feed on tender grass… fresh sea oats are just beginning to emerge… daisy like beach sun flowers and purple railroad vine climb the dunes and along the sandy footpaths with irresistible charm.
There is no way to fully communicate all the goings on in this heavenly Setting. After our walk, we always turn West to drink in one last look of the Gulf with its beautiful sky and horizon. Every time we think we have seen the most extraordinary colors, translucency, sky mountains, liquid light… we are surprised with amazingly more dazzling beauty.
One extremely low tide evening we walked Honeymoon Island beach in early evening. The tide was out further than we had ever experienced. In between sand bars were swash cuts and pools of water – the entire beach scape had been transformed into a giant Gulf of Mexico playground with the most lovely golden ambience in the setting sun – individuals, couples, families and pets were spread out for miles on this giant sultry canvas – lying on the shallow bars as gentle warm wavelets caressed them… creating sand castles… walking on sand bars studded with starfish and sea shells with beautiful creature inhabitants. Every one seemed unusually and totally involved in the Setting… their human spirits healing and joyful as they experienced UnFolding and their own unique Pristine Moments. We shall never forget the pure beauty of this Gulf Tide Setting and the unspoken feeling of joy and peace that seemed to be relished and shared by so many human spirits savoring the natural gifts provided for us all that evening.
Rainbow Surf…
One morning, while walking in the surf, we realized that it's not always such a "RAINBOW SURF" – but this morning it was. There was more foam than usual and it was made up of larger size rainbow bubbles. As we delightfully splashed along, it made our world a whole lot more colorful… Adding to our "Natural High"… all a part of LIFE BLENDING®!
LIKE A BIG EASTER BASKET!
March 29
It's orange blossom time! This morning and every day we awaken to the incredible perfumed air… and pick fallen navel orange blossom petals from our tree to place in a shell… and carry the lovely smell inside to our studio.
Later, walking north on the beach we became tantalized with the delicious fragrance of what had to be warm cinnamon buns – coming from Honeymoon Cafe. As we breathed in as much as possible, it brought back wonderful memories of the Bahamas – so many times, out early in the morning – led by our nose – seeking a little native island home/bakery with fresh "sticky buns" to have with coffee.
March 26
A glorious morning at Honeymoon… walking - and, as Hal describes – enjoying the "screaming beauty of the day."
March 24
Hal and I are still trying to remember – going back over all our Easters – but think this was the first Easter we have spent alone since our Berkeley Experience (1967-69). Friday and Saturday were fun visiting with family. Easter Sunday, somehow evolved as a time alone together, purely focused on the true meaning of Easter and LIFE BLENDING® – a highly spiritual experience all day long.
We began UnFolding on the dock overlooking Happy Bayou – enjoying one Pristine Moment after another… the sunrise, mullet flash dancing and jumping… looking for the momma Mallard duck and eight babies, watching little green herons flying in and out of their nests amongst the mangrove, a family of sheepshead and myriad other creatures above and below the water who make this amazingly vital small wetlands Bayou off the Gulf of Mexico their home.
Arriving at Honeymoon Island early – allowed us to feel very close to God in His 360 degree open air cathedral – with huge Thanks for our blessings – and exclaiming about the screaming beauty of this island Setting and the day. Sandwiched in between Winter/Spring cold fronts and lovely rain, the wind had settled down and Easter Sunday was sunny. It was so nice and warm, I took off my T-shirt and tied it around my wide brimmed white beach hat as I so often do – but today a purple shirt transformed my headdress into an Easter Bonnet – which evoked an amused and joyful response from many passersby.
At home, out on the deck overlooking Happy Bayou, we sauteed fresh caught mullet fillets and eggs for a delicious Easter Brunch… and continued to embrace one of the most beautiful Easters ever! …Will be adding photos here soon…
March 9, 2008
The giant cold front that crossed the country brought great winds and a much needed large gulp of rain – Happy Bayou looks like a BIG EASTER BASKET – a fresh and lushly green beautiful Setting for the roseate spoonbill couple that came in to feed along with a flock of ibis and other shorebirds. During the rainstorm Hal noted a male night heron clinging to a dock tie pole for more than four hours… in concern for his safety, we wondered why he didn't take refuge in the adjacent mangrove – or, was he actually enjoying the rain and a bath? We thought about all the creatures at Anclote Key, Three Rooker Bar, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island and Moonshine – how the nesting has been affected by the storm – and can't wait to see the beach, mangrove and forest – cleansed, sparkling and ready for Spring!
At least a hundred times a day, as we visually drink in our natural environment… whether it be Happy Bayou, the beach, the Gulf of Mexico, a flower, a bird, a fish… or looking up at majestic sky mountains… we exclaim again and again, "it's so beautiful… stunning… heavenly… " followed with "Thank you Lord!"
As we make these notes… this lovely peaceful Sunday afternoon has been interrupted with chain saw sounds. It does not sound like "selective trimming" but is the familiar and disturbing noise of grossly clearing mature mangrove. And so we must end this session to investigate, as part of a "wetlands neighborhood watch", to ensure that the cutting is within what the law permits – and to keep Happy Bayou happy for all the creatures who "happily" make it their home (including the humans who love and value the habitat)!
P.S.:
Hal just threw his net – Yum!!! Sauteed Mullet fillets tonight!!!!!
ANNIVERSARY WALK
AUGUST 26, 2007
The sky to the east turned into a dramatic blue violet watercolor above brilliant "Kelly green" red and black mangrove. An equally brilliant rainbow arched from the mangrove forest through the now purple blue sky. Four roseate spoonbills completed their evening low tide feeding in tidal creeks on the bayou – spread their incredibly rose colored wings, and lit up the sky as though the pink glow came from within their feathered bodies.
HAPPY SUMMERTIME!
JUNE 17, 2007
The small creamy white Black Mangrove flowers are in full bloom – dropping at water's edge – creating faceted bouquets on the water's surface – mingling with bright colored fallen mangrove leaves – Wild Florida in "full color"! Red Mangrove seed pods are almost mature – ready to break loose with a splash to begin their journey on tidal currents. Slightly upland, the Buttonwood (White Mangrove) are beginning to bloom – exquisitely subtle.
For us, the HIGHLIGHT of Spring was the dozen or so large MANATEE that frolicked at beach edge just east of POMPANO POINT at HONEYMOON ISLAND all morning. Such a tumultuous and loving display by these playful critters!!!
The Original Life Blenders, b.j. & Hal
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 27, 2007
January 2007 has been stunningly beautiful on the West Coast of Florida. We have been walking the shallow sand bars and gazing with almost disbelief at the light play on the surface of the water and the variety of lucid blues and greens of the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to the glorious natural amenities at Honeymoon Island, we enjoy the smiles and comments mirrored and shared – especially amongst the regulars…
Quotes from Honeymoon Island "regulars" to begin the New Year… collected from spontaneous, casual, LIFE BLENDING® mini workshops that occur along stretches of our beach walks!…
"I've found my FAVORITE PLACE! THIS ISLAND!!! It's Awesome! See how clear the water is here!"
"When I come here feeling bad, I always leave feeling good!"
"Better than any medicine!"
"Therapy!"
"So BEAUTIFUL!!!"
"Have a Beautiful Day!"
"Heavenly…"
"A PARADISE!
"Lifts my spirit!"
"Good for the soul…"
"What a Great Play Ground… Brings out the child in all of us…"
"Like being on vacation…"
"I call my brother and say – you have to see the sunlight on the water!"
July 2006
July arrived with its gorgeous and dramatic "sky mountains" pouring down precious rain. It's "Sea Oats Summer 2006" – the sea oats are profuse – lighting up the barrier islands with their golden aura. The shoreline and sand bars are rich with coquinas – incredibly beautiful tiny clams with rainbow colors and myriad patterns.
The few daily beach lovers and fisherman exchange brief exclamations about the paradise they are experiencing. One of the "regulars" sitting under an umbrella with her dog by her side, comments… "a slice of heaven."
The clarity of the water and crystalline colors of the Gulf have been absolutely mesmerizing – especially off Pompano Point at Honeymoon Island. It's like a giant swimming pool – only more beautiful with white sandy bottom, schools of bait playing – all sizes – large blue crabs scurrying, giant conchs with their bright orange bodies, porpoise, snook, and pompano swimming the swash cuts. A large barnacled sea turtle, has come to its final resting spot – it appears as a result of natural causes.
For the first time, we saw two adorable, small brown "beach bunnies" sitting amongst the sea oats on the sand dunes most proximate to the shoreline. Usually they appear more upland on the beach, nibbling fresh new growth, after a rain.
There is an old Florida Cracker saying that we just made up…
"May a tropical breeze be always in your face."
The Original Life Blenders, b.j. & Hal
One of our Beach Buddies – Annie – Love her smile!
August 13, 2006
In Seeking the Setting and how to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary, B.J. and I ended up on the same page – What could be more joyful and fun than practising The Art of LIFE BLENDING at Honeymoon Island and our beloved Happy Bayou – the places that inspired and nurtured us daily as we wrote our LIFE BLENDING book!
Anniversary morning, celebrating on our dock with coffee, we began UnFolding before sunrise and were catching moon beams in our cups. The sky was an incredibly luminous blue violet with huge August "sky mountain" clouds billowing – changing dramatically in color, size and shape every second. A dolphin energized the entire bayou with its gentle rolling presence. A bright morning star low in the Eastern sky was complimented by another with amazing revolving colors.
"At the gate by eight" to embrace Pristine Moments at Honeymoon – we began to absorb the Setting – 360 degrees – so clear! An almost full moon, August sky mountains continued to build above the deep blue horizon. Lucid liquid light danced in gentle waves with ocean echoes – caressing bare feet as we walked the sand bars. Experiencing these elevated spiritual moments is to us like heaven on earth – inspiration nonpareil!
Our bare skin began to tingle with the increasing heat of the tropical sun, and we slipped back to the dappled shade of our Point Sun Moon and Sea at Happy Bayou. Beneath the canopy of oaks – bamboo, birds of paradise, mangrove and other tropical foliage created a cool respite. We picked fresh herbs from our garden and envisioned the evening's table setting – a palette with myriad colors of glorious hibiscus flowers. Continuing to celebrate, we filled our entire day and night with Life Enhancing Experiences!
LIFE BLENDING LOG by
The "Original Life Blenders," Hal & B.J. Stowers
originaltropicalart.com
August 27, 2006
It was a startlingly beautiful morning at Honeymoon! – Wrap around high drama with a light sea green horizon and deep blue violet storm clouds and areas of intermittently falling rain. The creamy bright white sand had been freshened by rain drops all night. Across Hurricane Pass, the sun lit up sea oats on Caladesi Island – like Van Gogh's golden yellow wheat fields – against contrasting rich dark mangrove and sugar white sunlit beaches. The tide was out – sand bars were inviting us to come play – but approaching thunder bid us to stay out of the lovely cascading skinny waves. A glorious experience! – Makes an artist want to paint!!! –
"Florida is my Landscape!"
The Original Life Blenders, b.j. & Hal
(We have begun a new book entitled "Florida is my Landscape!"
to be published – when ready – sooner or later! At this point of life on earth, we are "LIFE BLENDING," enjoying working, and managing our Freedom!
LIFE BLENDING LOG by
The "Original Life Blenders," Hal & B.J. Stowers originaltropicalart.com
"This just happened – had to share it!
September 27, 2006 – early a.m.
Early a.m., I was walking while UnFolding near our mangrove and heard loud splashing going on in the bayou – unlike the sound of fat Fall mullet jumping. I ran out on our dock and lo and behold, three beloved porpoise were rapidly approaching me – intertwined and undulating in some kind of play above and below the water. I thought perhaps they were feeding and playing with their "catch," which I've seen many times. As they came closer and closer in their water ballet, I could see that their "catch" was a red mangrove seedling!!!
Unbelievable, these gorgeous creatures were circling the dock pilings while passing off the mangrove seedling. All of a sudden one of the porpoise flipped on its back at the surface of the churning water – and with extraordinary finesse – was "skipping" the seedling with its snout – only to grasp it again in its mouth and pass it on to its buddies. Round and round, in and out of the water they went right below me – pursuing and skipping the "catch" – Such touch! (Of course early Fall is the time for the mature red mangrove seedlings to drop into the water, and begin their liquid journey on currents and tides to take root and begin new mangrove forests.) Here at Happy Bayou, we have enjoyed and studied the mangrove and wetland critters as part of our lifework – and have never before experienced this incredible acrobatic display with the dynamics of porpoise playing with red mangrove seedlings! I had to leave these "pink bellied" wonders for a moment to call for B.J. to join me. She arrived just in time for their grand finale before they left the bayou with an outgoing tide. B.J. was in near disbelief, and exclaimed over and over how fortunate we were to partake in this phenomenally playful Pristine Moment! Will we ever see this again?"
Hal Stowers
Red Mangrove Leaf and Seedling off our dock.
See "THE RED MANGROVE SHOOT OUT"
Page 52,
HAL STOWERS & THE ART OF LIFE BLENDING®
LIFE BLENDING LOG by
The "Original Life Blenders," Hal & B.J. Stowers originaltropicalart.com
… more to come …
originaltropicalart.com
Original Tropical Art
Representing Florida Environmental Artist HAL STOWERS, ASLA
Please call 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST
727-786-9377
E-mail: art@halstowers.com
For more about
HAL STOWERS & The Art of LIFE BLENDING ®
visit our "Cyber Archives" at
halstowers.com & lifeblending.com
Web Site, Art, Photographs & Content © 2006-08 B.J. & Hal Stowers
unless otherwise credited. All rights reserved.
Copyrights remain with the Artists/Authors
Published by WALKING TREE, INC.
Site Updated 10/10/2008
THE ORIGINAL
LIFE BLENDERS
Hal & B.J. Stowers
– in the caves of Negril –
Jamaica
Hal Stowers, ASLA
B.J. Stowers
Mentors
About us
Walking Tree, Inc.
LIFE BLENDING LOG
THE BERKELEY
EXPERIENCE
Hal and I often wonder
what became of others
who were drawn
to make & survived, the
Pilgrimage to Berkeley
in the late
For more see
Coffee Table Book –
HAL STOWERS &
The Art of
LIFE BLENDING®
– HOW TO KEEP YOUR
CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING
visit… Your
LIFE BLENDING®
Message
an online workshop
rewarding aspects of
our work has been
being a part of a
grass roots movement
begun in the 70's to
set aside pristine
barrier islands in the
Tampa Bay Area
(then under
developmental
pressure)
to become
Florida State Parks.
How our hard won unique natural
open spaces,
in Florida and
world wide, are
valued & protected
by
current and future generations
remains to be seen.
See Page 265
HAL STOWERS &
THE ART OF
LIFE BLENDING®
LINKS TO
our chain of
JEWEL-LIKE
ISLANDS
here on
Florida's
West Coast:
Honeymoon Island
(more)
Caladesi Island
Anclote Key
also see
Moonshine Island
Three Rooker Bar