8 slow moving orange spheres over Gulf of Mexico after orange column of light over GulfAt approximately 9:30-9:45 on Sept. 15, 2012, eight orange glowing spheres were seen moving south to north at 30 degree angle over the Gulf of Mexico directly out from Venice Inlet (Sarasota County, FL). This was observed in a boat on the intra-coastal waterway. The orange balls of light were moving slowly in formation approximately 100 yards apart. They turned slowly westward in un-uniformed pattern (not in a line). We lost sight (lights were obscured by trees) while docking the boat.About an hour and a half earlier an orange column of light had been seen shining through storm clouds over the Gulf at the horizon. The entire sky was dark except for this column of light. This light was seen for at least 15 minutes, at which point we lost track as we continued fishing. The column of light was observed by a crowd fishing on the Venice Inlet jetties, who were also pointing and commenting.