Sago palms

As I walked through my yard today I noticed changes in my sago palms. The photo above is of a male sago. A cone will eventually break through and grow up to 20" or so tall.


This sago, which I believe to be female, is send out a new fronds.


Sago are not really palms. They are actually in the cycad family. They are beautiful plants that do very well on the island.

Driftwood

There was quite a bit of driftwood washed up on shore tonight. I don't think I've ever seen this much and I wonder where it came from. There were both branches and planks. Oh the stories we could weave...

Bands on the Beach

It was a beautiful evening for Bands on the Beach.


A bit of tush-huggin' music brings a couple to the dance floor.

Mr. Big performed a very nice variety of music for the crowd.


I bet she going to show the kids back home what they're missing.


You're so right, kiddo; Bands on the Beach is Numero Uno!


Ms. Harley Davidson came prepared with a little fruit and cheese. Oooh, that looks good.


Ahhh, look, I found some lovebugs at the concert.


What a great way to end the day on Pensacola Beach.

Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier

What a beautiful evening with the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier in the background. Our sand is snow white and the Gulf of Mexico is emerald green and turquoise. The only thing missing is this photo is ... YOU!

Castles by the sea

It's always fun to stumbled upon a sandcastle or other sand sculpture.


But one thing that many people are unaware of is that it is very important to fill in deep holes like this before you leave the beach. The sea turtle nesting season has begun and holes like this could trap or injure a female sea turtle when she comes ashore.

Click here for more information on how you can help save our sea turtles!

Settin' sail

"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails."

~~ Ramakrishna

Sailing a little

"Who is staring at the sea is already sailing a little."

~~ Paul Carvel

Bands on the Beach

We had a great kick-off for our 2008 Bands on the Beach summer concert series tonight. The U.S. Navy Band from New Orleans performed to an enthusiastic crowd.


Every branch of the military seemed to be represented in the audience tonight.


Military brass.


The crowd stands during the National Anthem.


Eight-week old Olivia Lauren McGrath had been so excited at the prospect of attending her first Bands on the Beach concert that she promptly fell asleep during the first song.


A night to enjoy on Pensacola Beach.


Adorable munchkin clapping with glee!


Happy memories being made.


And at last, one of the highlights of the evening, we have the unveiling of the United States Coast Guard pelican, 'Salty'. This is a first look! The formal unveiling will take place in Pensacola tomorrow at Plaza De Luna.

Bands on the Beach begins!

Just a reminder to locals (and our visitors) that Bands on the Beach kicks off its 2008 summer concert season this evening at Casino Beach, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

May is Military Appreciation Month on the beach, so it is even more exciting to open the series with the U.S. Navy Band (New Orleans). The U.S. Coast Guard pelican will be also be unveiled.

Bring your beach chairs or a blanket, cooler (no glass on the beach, please), and even some snacks. Then kick back and enjoy Bands on the Beach!

Shades of blue

The surf has settled down again and our beautiful colors are back.


Look at the clarity of Gulf waters along Pensacola Beach!

Faux Hummingbirds!

Ah ha! Now I have documented proof of who's drinking up all my hummingbird nectar -- and it isn't hummingbirds!

I have three hummingbird feeders located around my patio, on the opposite side of the house as my finch feeders. A couple of weeks ago I started noticing a lot of finch activity around my patio and less presence of hummingbirds. It took a while to catch them in the act, but it looks as though these little purple finches have a sweet tooth/beak.

Has anyone else ever seen finches at their hummingbird feeders?

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

Did you make it to the Pensacola Crawfish Festival this weekend? If not, look at what you missed!


Grandpa shows off his platter of crawfish, but this little fella isn't so sure if they are for eatin' or playin'.



Welcome to the festival!


Fish and chips and crabs...


Or a filet of fish and a crab cake...


I think he's carrying about six pounds of crawfish.


Now THIS is more my style...I love the chips.


Activities for the kids are always included...


Hadley J Castille and The Sharecroppers provided Cajun music. The entertainment line-up at Pensacola festivals is always first rate.


First on the dance floor and admired by all.

Sunday at the beach

The storms have cleared out, but the water remains a bit murky from all the surf action. Seaweed is scattered here and there along the beach as a result of high tides. It's still the place we want to be on a Sunday afternoon, watching the waves and chilling out like these two locals.

Ahhhhhh....life is good.

A path for walking

"Never have a path for walking on less than three feet wide."

~~ Martin Hoyles

Sunny days

It looks like the storms are behind us and we have a couple of beautiful days ahead.

The lifeguard station

An unmanned lifeguard station at Park East.

Ruffled tailfeathers!

I took my mother to The ZOO Northwest Florida this past weekend. Of all the exhibits, I believe her favorite were the beautiful white peacocks and you can see why. [Click on the photo to see it in more detail.]

It's easy to see where they came up with the phrase 'proud as a peacock'.

The shoes not taken

My mother visited recently, along with my cousin and his wife. One day we were having a lovely time on the beach until we returned to discover someone had taken our shoes -- all except for my mother's little blue polka-dotted slippers! I've never had anything like this happen on the beach before, though I'm constantly leaving my sandals beside walkovers when I'm out taking photos.

I am very appreciative that the culprit left my mother's shoes behind so she didn't have to walk across hot asphalt to the house, but we've had many laughs since that mother's blue polka-dotted shoes didn't make the cut for the sandal thief.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my little Shih Tzu, 'PJ' (Panama Jack)! He is six years old today.

Yes, I understand that he is a boy dog and that I have him in ponytails...but the look is just so darn cute on him.

Sugar white sand

The most beautiful sand in the world is right here on Pensacola Beach and Santa Rosa Island. Someday I need to do a comparison shot: sugar on one side, sand on the other, and see which one really is the whitest!

For some of you who may not know: The sand on Pensacola Beach is so white and reflective that it does not absorb the heat or get blistering hot in the summer like other beaches can.