Red Tide & a round house

For months, the "Red Tide" plague has been building, lingering and swaying up and down Florida's southwest coast. Within the last few days, the algae bloom (Karenia brevis), has bloomed even larger, and now the seawater, much deeper in color, has sent thousands of fish floating throughout our local bays - including, even in my own back-water, saltwater lagoon.  Fish and mammals are all being affected - and dead.

Dolphins, hundreds of sea turtles, and countless manatees (last count 80) have died. Recently, a juvenile whale shark of 26 feet washed ashore on Sanibel Island. And, all are attributing this deadly, highly-inflammed toxin - born of a natural Gulf algae - to probable human interaction. This current widespread and multi-county out-break, is reportedly being exasperated by the long term use, and run-off from agricultural chemicals. For now, the local media are head-lining it as a record bloom, but quietly quoting on their back page, "a red tide slaughterhouse".

After awakening to the smell and stench of rotting fish, I had a specific scheduled sight to see in the late afternoon.

The old Hilton Leech Studio, and part of a one-day lecture tour, today had become a prized example of Sarasota's noted "School of Architecture".  The original art studio (now a residence), where I once hung out a few times as a kid, was recently placed on the real-estate market for a million bucks.  This newly refurbished, simple round structure (barely resembling what I once remembered), appeared a little dolled-up.  But thankfully, it was still there, and still existing - unlike our current marine life - which should stand for a little bit of something.

West and Waters, architects - Hilton Leech Studio, 1960