A Little R & R (Rest & Relaxation) in Clearwater, FL

After crossing the Gulf, we took a couple of days off to play tourist and to catch up on laundry, mail, etc. One of the towns we wanted to visit was Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs became famous due to the natural sea sponge business that started here in the late19th century by men that would go out in small boats and harvest the sponges with long rake like poles from the shallow waters. Eventually, Greek divers were enticed to immigrate to the area and used their expertise with deep sea diving to greatly increase the harvesting of the sponges. By the use of diving suits and helmets attached to the surface by an air hose, one diver could harvest four times as many sponges as a crew working from the surface in a small boat. Ultimately, the Greek divers took over the business almost entirely and their descendants still continue on today.

One of the many sponge boats with the sea sponges hanging out to dry after being cleaned. Note the Greek names on the bow.

The days catch waiting to go to market.

One of the many diver supply houses lining the water front.

The Anclote River in Tarpon Springs with the sponge boats tied up along the banks.

Christmas decorations along the Anclote River.

The Clearwater Harbour Marina, where we stayed after crossing the Gulf was a popular place for various "fishing" type birds to hang out on or near our boat while they were hunting for their next meal. They have obviously grown accustomed to people because we could walk very close to them before they flew off.

This little guy is a Green Heron. My bird book describes him as a small, stocky, solitary and secretive fishing bird. He sure liked hanging out around ITHAKA.

The Great Egret, on his favorite perch, our power cord.

The two fishing buddies. The Great Egret and the Great Blue Heron.

The Great Blue Heron scanning the waters for any unsuspecting fish. This is the sovereign of the wading birds, being up to four feet tall with a wing span of six feet.

One majestic bird.