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.