End of the day

"When you come to the end of the day,
And the night calls your worries away,
Do you ever watch the setting sun,
And dream of things that you might have done?"

Gus Kahn, "When You Come to the End of the Day"

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

Kitt Lough and the Dave Shelander Quartet gave a great performance at Evenings in Olde Seville Square last night. I'm glad that they were added to the concert series this year.


This young man, Evan, was quiet and focused, so I stepped in for one of my candid shots. Suddenly he looked into the camera and gave me one of those high kilowatt smiles. I just love it when that happens. The photo of his adorable little brother Brendon blurred, so I owe him another next time!


Great smiles were all around me last night, but I think I'm losing my touch with candid shots.


It's especially nice to see young families pack up and come out to enjoy Evenings in Olde Seville Square.


Waiting for the concert to begin.


Ahhh, who knew they made portable loveseats like this. The question is, how do you get it folded and zipped back into the cover?


Wow, they went all out on this yummy spread. Wonder if they'd miss a few of those hors d'hoveures.


In my sweet baby's arms.

Note to CT on the Bay: Thanks so much for taking time to come over and say hello last night! It was great to meet you in real life!

Quietwater Beach

It's always fun to stop by Quietwater Beach. Usually you'll see folks taking a few photos in front of the Quietwater Beach band shell. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., through Labor Day you can catch a concert held here.

The boardwalk itself has been renamed Portofino Boardwalk, but I think many of us will always call it Quietwater.

Bands on the Beach

I hope you didn't miss Bands on the Beach tonight because you thought you were too tired! This lady showed up in spite of a broken leg! Heck, there isn't even any dirt on the bottom of the cast yet.


Rock and roll mama and her tiny bopper.

Love shines through at Bands on the Beach.


A (semi) circle of friends.


These little tweens are too tired to dance after a day at the beach.


Hmmm, bet these aren't the only Gators in this crowd.

New growth

It is a gorgeous green-flag day on Pensacola Beach. Days like this with very little wave action cause us to refer to the gulf as the 'Lake of Mexico'


As I was walking along the beach this morning, I noticed new growth in several areas. Above are sea oats that have popped up in the middle of the beach, not close to the old (or replanted) dunes.


This looks like dune sunflowers, which I love. Again, they were coming up halfway between the houses and the beach. I think we can thank the seagulls and mourning doves for this particular sign of new growth.

Bands on the Beach

A lot of our young people love to swing dance. It's very popular in the Pensacola area. I'm seeing more of the 'Swing Kids' coming out to Bands on the Beach Tuesday nights.


And there's the ever-popular playing in the sand while the adults listen to the band.


Friends don't let friends dance alone. Get out there and dance for joy.

Sailing

“What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves..."

~~ Thomas Merton

Opening out

"Each flower is a soul opening out to nature."

~~Gerald De Nerval

Slender Rose Gentian

One of my favorite wildflowers is blooming now: Slender Rose Gentian (Sabatia campanulata L. Torr.), also known as marsh pinks. These delicate blooms are exquisite.

Happy Father's Day

A happy day at the beach with dad, catching fish and making good memories. A very happy Father's Day.

House Finches

I'm discovering that it is very easy to attract birds to my yard here on a barrier island. One of my favorites is the House Finch, not only due to the bright color of the males, but for their sweet song outside my windows.

If you click on the title of this post you can learn more about House Finches and even hear audio of their warbling and cheeps.

Confederate Jasmine

I'm happy to see my Confederate jasmine is doing so well. I first fell in love with this plant when visiting New Orleans several years ago.

Confederate jasmine covers brick walls of private courtyards or is used as groundcover. The Beauregard House on Chartres Street with its small formal garden a wonderful example. Its intoxicating fragrance and delicate blossoms made me swear to have it in my own garden someday.

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

The Dixieland Dandies and the Swinging Dick Tracys performed in Seville Square last night. The rain couldn't dampen our spirits, even if it dampened everything else.


Some came prepared with their umbrellas.


The Swing Kids had everyone cheering! They are really incredible.


Those without umbrellas found shelter under the big live oak trees.


This concert is one of the most entertaining of the concert series. I think if I had to pick just one in the series, it would be this one. The energy of the Swing Kids, excellent bands, plus the love we have for jazz standards, makes it irresistible.


Evenings in Olde Seville Square brings out the love in everyone, including brothers and sisters!

Brides on the Beach

Capturing a photographer at work with a bride is something I had always wanted. Last night I had that opportunity when Steve Frame of Steven Frame Photography and Video allowed me to follow him for a shoot on the beach.


Staying out of the way and trying to photograph behind the scene was not easy in fading light, with no flash and no tripod, but I think you will get an idea of the process.


A simple composition. Steve posed the bride and prepares to take a lovely shot of her...


But click on this photo and you will see the distractions (not to mention me behind him) with which he contends. You have to ask yourself, don't people strolling along the water realize they are walking right through his shot!


Incredible under pressure, Steve got his photos last night, will prepare proofs for the bride, and have an 11x14 ready for display at her wedding Saturday evening! Now that's a professional!

You can check out Steve's online portfolio of family and bridal photos here.

Thanks, Steve!

Bands on the Beach

There were so many friends and family at Bands on the Beach tonight that I didn't get photos as usual. It was a great night and the crowd loved the band, Midnight Confessions.


Little Lauren is lovin' the bubbles.


Chrissy thanks Officer Ted with a big hug for coming to her rescue not long ago. Mmmmmm, Chrissy, I'm thinking I might need a hug from Officer Ted, too. Doncha just love our island LEO's?

Surf Camp - Day Two

After the cloudburst this morning, skies cleared and surf camp began.


Tents went up, surfboards came out, thunderheads drifted east.


JB from Innerlight Surf & Skate Shop talks about the danger of lightning, then recaps what the kids learned yesterday, points they should remember, and some new techniques.


Mariah, Liz and Dee head for the surfboards.


The groms (young surfers) hit the water in search of some waves.


Dark clouds still hang low for a while, but move northeast.


Go, Liz! Nice ride!


Yea, Mariah! You look like a real surfer girl!


I'm tired from watching all this activity! Time to chill out and relax in the shade. What a great day!

Cloudburst

There was a cloudburst over the island this morning, but within half an hour the skies started clearing.


The seagulls come back out, too.