Somber Sunrise on Pensacola Beach

The smell of oil was thick this early Sunday morning as my daughters and I took a somber sunrise walk on Pensacola Beach. The tar balls are getting larger, and more numerous. I wondered if they had made their way into Pensacola Bay and if they were hitting the shores of Gulf Breeze yet...



The BP cleaning crews were out already, picking up the tar balls and blobs.



This little crab seemd to be suspiciously eyeing the tar balls coming in with the surf. I silently apologized to him, and to the shore birds diving into the waves to catch their breakfasts.



As we left, although we thought we were very careful to avoid stepping on tar balls, we all had gooey tar on the soles of our feet.

Seagrass Awareness Day

It was Seagrass Awareness day at Shoreline Park South today. Activities and wildlife displays were centered around educating the public about the importance of seagrass preservation in Santa Rosa Sound.







(Thanks to guest photographer Nadia for the photo of the turtle!)

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.

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.

Home of the Dolphins

We're back after a 2-week break from the blog!

Margaret took this photo of one of the numerous artistic installations at Gulf Breeze's schools. This painted tile mural outside the entrance to Gulf Breeze Middle School celebrates our mascot - the Dolphins - and our award-winning middle school band.

Tree Frogs

Margaret spent a lot of time and effort trying to get a clear shot of the tree frogs that were hanging out on our pool ladder after dark this week. Wouldn't you know, the one great shot turned out to be X-rated!? Great job, Margaret.

Spring Fling

Love is in the air... and in the water! Frogs and toads all over Gulf Breeze are singing for a mate in the evenings, producing a deafening symphony of courtship after the sun goes down. This lucky guy and his sweetheart were busy making more frogs this past weekend in a half-drained pool which is waiting for repair. The strings of eggs are seen trailing below them into the depths of the algae-rich water.

Dragonfly

A dragonfly poses for a portrait as he rests and soaks in the warmth of the bricks. These beautiful creatures are plentiful in the summer, dipping to drink from pools, puddles and ponds as they fly through neighborhoods. This was one of the first photographs Margaret took late last spring when we first arrived in Gulf Breeze.