Gulf Islands National Seashore: The Treasure of the Gulf Coast

Jill Hubbs, Director of Outreach and Educational Services at WSRE-TV, our local PBS affiliate, has announced that their documentary, Gulf Islands National Seashore: The Treasure of the Gulf Coast, is available for viewing online. Ms. Hubbs wrote, directed and produced this wonderful film and even persuaded Ken Burns to narrate the piece which serves as a companion to his series The National Parks: America's Greatest Idea.

I want to thank Barrier Island Girl for posting this a week ago on her blog.

I hope you enjoy!

Peace On Earth

Ready for Christmas in Florida

A festive boat in the Lafitte Cove Marina behind Peg Leg Pete's on Pensacola Beach.

Skywatch Friday - From NAS Pensacola

There is something very primitive about the beach in winter. On this late November afternoon, the beach at Lighthouse Point onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola was chilly, lonely, and spectacular.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Another shot from a recent visit to Ft. Barrancas. At the end of a dark, steep passageway, this door leads outside to the water battery.

What's for Lunch?

Meredith got this photo of a friendly great blue heron fishing along the shoreline in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, near Pensacola Beach.

Past Meets Future

Three young soldiers check out weaponry of the past on a visit to Ft. Barrancas onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Pensacola Lighthouse

The 1858 Pensacola Lighthouse onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola overlooks the entrance to Pensacola Bay from the Gulf of Mexico.

Over so soon?

Another soccer season came to a close today for the teams of the Gulf Breeze Sports Association. Balls will be flying again next August!

Tropical Storm Ida

There is no more "shoreline" at Shoreline Park this morning! Tropical Storm Ida blew in overnight, and the storm surge has pushed the waters of Santa Rosa Sound up over the beach and into the parking lot.

Great Gulfcoast Arts Fest 2009

Artists young and old, professional and amateur, enjoyed the final day of the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival under the shade of the giant oak trees in downtown Pensacola today.













"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Picasso

After a long day in the sand and salt water on Pensacola Beach, a rinsing off at the showers feels sooooooo good...

No Lifeguards on Duty

The lifeguard stations at Pensacola Beach - closed down for the off season - on a cloudy October afternoon.

Tranquility

Skywatch Friday - A View from Shoreline Park South

The early morning sky over a calm Santa Rosa Sound.

Skywatch Friday - First Light

It is simply incredible what dust and a star can do, isn't it? Friday morning's sunrise was a heavenly gift to those of us awake early enough to witness it. Thank you Margaret for a wonderful Skywatch Friday photo!

The End of the Day

"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion
when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers."
-Herbert Hoover



Two fishermen sit on the shore of Pensacola Bay in Gulf Breeze, watching the fading light, sharing a moment in time. The contrast between the silhouetted fishermen and the blue bay fits in with October's City Daily Photo Theme: Contrast. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Provisions

One of the many fishing boats here in Gulf Breeze this weekend for the Pensacola Seafood Festival and the 2009 Redfish Cup Championship which has 20 two-man teams competing. These guys were loading up their ride at Publix Thursday evening. Happy fishing to all!

Skywatch Friday - Last Light

At dusk, the setting sun sets the clouds aglow over the treetops in Gulf Breeze. Thank you Meredith for such a beautiful Skywatch Friday photo!

In honor of Grandparents Day

Not too long ago, on a visit to downtown Mobile, Alabama, Margaret decided she had to have a picture of this window display at Downtowner's on Dauphin St. She took this photo with her grandmother in mind, who is a member of the Red Hat Society.

Happy Grandparents Day to all of our grandparents!

Transportation II

Two sailboats at rest on a sleepy Sunday morning in Santa Rosa Sound.

Looking Down

A Quiet Sunday Morning on Santa Rosa Sound

This shot was taken on another recent Sunday morning from the pier at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze, and looks east across Santa Rosa Sound towards the Bob Sykes bridge which connects Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach and Santa Rosa Island. Many, many fish are caught from this pier.

Skywatch Friday - Gulf of Mexico Sunrise

Margaret was wading into the surf early Sunday morning to capture the sun rising over the Pensacola Beach highrises. A lovely photo for Skywatch Friday!

Sunrise on the Beach

Since 13-year-old Margaret is the most frequent contributor to this blog, I thought a photo of her would be appropriate today. This was taken this morning as the sun was rising in the Ft. Pickens Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Margaret and I have made sunrise on the beach a tradition for the two of us, enjoying the peaceful beauty of the coastline when no one else is around except the shore birds (below) and sand crabs.

At sunrise and sunset, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico change hues every few seconds. It is impossible to convey in photographs the hundreds of shades of blues and greens and grays... but we try.

Breakfast at... Shoreline

This great blue heron was fishing for breakfast Sunday morning at Shoreline Park South, and didn't seem to mind the two young girls 5-10 feet away snapping pictures. These serene creatures, some of whom nest and hunt in our neighborhood, are quite accepting of people... as long as we don't get TOO close.

Live Oak at Shoreline

This is one of Margaret's favorite live oaks in town, so she photographs it often. It stands watch over Santa Rosa Sound, just a few feet from the water, at Shoreline Park South on this fall-like Sunday morning in August.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

It is a picture perfect morning in Gulf Breeze, for seagulls, young photographers, and everyone else enjoying the water in Santa Rosa Sound.

Claudette's Gift

Margaret took these shots of a log washed up on the beach at the Ft. Pickens area of Santa Rosa Island. The huge surf was bringing up many unusual things from the ocean floor, thanks to the 35-40 mph sustained winds from the remnants of Claudette as she came ashore Monday morning.

Almost there...

On the Pensacola Bay Bridge, about to enter Gulf Breeze on the way to the Gulf of Mexico and some hopefully choice waves.

Naval Live Oaks

A morning walk in the Naval Live Oaks Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. First, a tree that was cut and left along the waterline is surounded by drying sea grass. Then, a flowering shrub in the sand with the Bob Sikes Bridge and Pensacola beach in the distance.

Palm Tree Frog

A little evening rain really brings out the tree frogs - one of Margaret's favorite subjects. This one is almost the exact color of the saw palmetto he claimed as his own.