Tropical Storm Claudette

I thought my blog visitors might like to see some of the photos I took around noon today. Ft. Pickens closed at 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon, but I discovered they re-opened this morning and hurried out to see how a couple of sea turtle nests fared overnight.


In the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, rain was very heavy at times and the surf had kicked up quite a bit.


I was pleased to see Nest FP 8131 had held up. Though probably a bit washed, the elevation may allow it to drain quickly and hopefully we'll see a good hatch in mid-October.

High winds were sending blasts of sand across the road.

Leaving the park, I saw the lifeguard truck nearby, watching for anyone getting too close to the water. You'd think that would not be a problem today, but you'd be wrong. I actually saw a couple of dozen people out there! Being blasted with sand is uncomfortable at the least, but when winds are this high the beach is a risky place for people who wear contacts or children. Eyes should be carefully protected!

On the other end of Pensacola Beach, Santa Rosa area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, things were more calm and there were only a few sprinkles of rain off and on.

The Gulf was dramatic, but the roads seemed fine except for a covering of sand in places. Blue skies would even peep through occasionally.

A group of pelicans flew by and I stopped for a shot.

If you click on the photo you can see the towers of Portofino in the distance as I head home for the day.

Fort Pickens

I realized this morning that in all the photographs I've shown you of the newly reopened Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, I haven't shown you a single one of the fort itself! Completed in 1834, the fort has withstood countless hurricanes.


The fort was the site of the first major battle of the Civil War on Florida soil. It was known as the Battle of Santa Rosa Island.


Designed by French engineer, Simon Bernard, over 21 million bricks were used to build Ft. Pickens.

Despite the damage from hurricanes, there is still much to explore at Ft. Pickens.

There are daily tours of Ft. Pickens at 2:00 p.m. and a beautiful section of the Florida Scenic Trail begins within the fort itself and travels east over marshes and canals.

Lantana grabs a foothold in a crack of the old fort wall.

It costs $8.00 per vehicle to entry the Ft. Pickens Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore and it is good for a period of one week. U.S. citizens who are 62 years of age or older may purchase a lifetime Senior Pass for $10.00 which is good for all national parks!