Field Notes: Sharks, Sunsets, and State Parks

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 Day 1: Arrival in Tampa

Location: Tampa International Airport

Weather: Warm, humid, scattered clouds


Flew out of Key West this afternoon. The descent into Tampa offered a patchwork of estuaries and urban sprawl. After a quick detour to find Phoebe the Flamingo (by Matthew Mazzotta), I found Cassidy waiting outside. We checked into the hotel, found food, and relaxed the rest of the evening. 



Day 2: Shark Con, Sunsets, and Shark Teeth

Location: Florida State Fairgrounds→Venice Beach

Weather: Hot, breezy, scattered thunderstorms


Shark Con opened with a buzz, rows of booths, a mix of merch and mission. We gravitated towards the conservation groups. FWC's shark ID workshop was a highlight. It was hands-on, tactile, and very informative. The lecture by Yannis Papastamatiou and Mike Heithaus was packed. Lots of insight into predator behavior and tracking tech. 


By late afternoon, we headed south to Venice Beach. The shoreline was scattered with shell fragments and fossil hunters. Found several sharks' teeth: some worn, some pristine. The sunset was electric with orange bleeding into violet, waves catching the last light as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. 


Venice Sunset Photograph by Terry Shelton - Fine Art America

Field Note: Venice's fossil-rich sands are remnants of ancient marine ecosystems. Each tooth is a fragment of time, a physical link to the evolutionary past. 


Day 3: Science & Cypress Trails

Location: Shark Con→Hillsborough River State Park

Weather: Overcast morning, sunny afternoon


Wrapped up Shark Con with a few more lectures and a breakout session with PhD candidates. Their work on shark behavior and migration was very interesting, lots of potential overlap with our own interests. Networking felt relaxed and organic. Hopefully some lasting connections were made. 


Drove out to Hillsborough River State Park in the afternoon. The trail beyond the suspension bridge was closed, hurricane damage still evident. But the part that was open offered plenty with water hemlock lining the banks, firebush in bloom, and air plants clinging to oak bark. Saw a couple of gators making their way down the river and squirrels darting through the trees.




Field Note: Disturbance ecology is written into the landscape here. Even in recovery, the system pulses with life. Adaptation in action. 

Day 4: Departure

Location: Tampa→Key West

Weather: Hot and cloudy


Up before sunrise to catch my flight. Tampa's skyline faded behind the clouds as we ascended. An hour later I was back in Key West where Chris was waiting with breakfast. 

This trip was a blend of shark facts, fossil finds, and slow walks under cypress trees: a reminder that science doesn't always come in lab coats or lecture halls. Sometimes it shows up in beach sand and swamp trails. Whether it was talking shop at Shark Con or spotting gators in the sun, every stop offered something unexpected. Curiosity is a good travel companion and Florida, as always, has stories to tell. 

You can support my work and help raise awareness by making a purchase from shop Terry Shelton Art for Sale | Fine Art America.





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