A dock extends into Sarasota Bay behind our condo and, over the years, I have watched many dusks descend on Longboat Key from that vantage point. On most occasions, red tinged clouds reflect the sunset to the west as darkness envelops the mangroves and the placid waters of this beautiful bay. Flocks of laughing gulls and royal terns move silently to the north, heading for their roosting sites, while herons and egrets make their last inspection of the shallows. This week, bright Venus and a crescent moon glow in the western sky, adding their brilliance to the picturesque scene.
Unless wind is rustling the palms and pines, the sounds of dusk are limited here. Crickets and tree frogs provide a background chorus while night herons squawk from their haunts along the shore, perhaps startled by a nosey raccoon. Now and then, the snort of a manatee will echo across the water or a big metal bird from Sarasota's airport may rumble overhead.
This daily transition from diurnal to nocturnal lifestyles is generally a peaceful one on Sarasota Bay. Here, their are no gators, wolves or panthers to patrol the night and the gathering dusk offers relief from the intense Florida sun. For we humans, it is a time to relax, reflect and recharge our souls.
