Spring on the island

One of the special advantages we have on the island and coastal mainland each spring is watching osprey build their nests and go through their mating ritual.   An osprey's wingspan can reach up to six feet, so you can imagine how incredible it is to watch them soaring high in the sky or diving into the Gulf for fish.

Yesterday afternoon I rode with my friend and fellow photographer, Harry Purcell, to Ft. Pickens to observe returning osprey and try for some photos. Harry very graciously allowed me to try out his Canon 70-200mm prime lens, and I was able to capture some nice shots. 

I've found myself becoming more curious about indigenous wildlife as a result of my patrols in the last few years. What started as a passion for sea turtles has expanded to several sea and shore birds as well.

Osprey typically mate for life.  The female (left) is generally larger, has a slightly large wing span, and usually has more brown speckling across their chest. 

Osprey typically return to the same nest year after year. 

Looks like we'll see the female nesting soon.

Whether you live here or are visiting Pensacola Beach, this is a wonderful time to visit Ft. Pickens (especially with a pair of binoculars) to watch the osprey soar and work on their nests. Either early morning or late afternoon is a great time to watch them fish also.

Kids and Kritters!

Despite the cold weather and gusty winds, there was quite a turnout for the Kids and Kritters parade at Casino Beach this weekend! 

Simple, but elegant!



As you can see in this young lady's float, she came prepared with plenty of throws for the crowd!



The kritters were checking out their competition. too!

What a beautiful Afghan Hound!

Deb and Daisy!

Sneaking a ride!

The wind was so gusty, it was almost like riding with your head out the window!

Ahhhhhh....some things are sweeter than Moon Pies! 

Masks were helping to keep little faces warm!

At last, a camera hound!  

Little Lauren had an awesome costume!  Wonder if that wig comes in my size!

Mom, you can pick me up any time now.

This little pup loved riding in the basket!  It also allowed her to fuss at the big dogs from a safe perch!

So cute!

Where's Waldo?

Doggles!!!  And they came in very handy on such a windy day!  Isn't he the coolest canine?!

A frou frou tutu!

Showing the love!

Yep, the pup is still trying to tell the big dogs who's boss!

Lauren got to take home a prize!

Another prize winner in the Kid's category.

This could put a dent in the guard dog reputation.

Love the Lucky Dogs!

Lots of treats!

Hmmm, ya think he's a Parrothead?

No, no...the treats are THIS way!

A very smart dog!

"The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor" ~~ Margo Kaufman

Dad, look!  They're handing out Milk Bones!

Look at that profile!  

In style!

Miss Daisy!

“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul”

~~ Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

The walkover

"Tell me what you yearn for and I shall tell you who you are. We are what we reach for, the idealized image that drives our wandering."

James Hillman (1926 - 2011)

Kitesurfing in the New Year

Can you imagine a group of surfers sitting on the beach one gusty day, perhaps bemoaning choppy water which was not prime for longboards.  As they sat there mulling over the situation, some of them obviously figured out a way to combine surfing and paragliding, then threw in a little bit of gymnastics just to mess with us common folk.  In the end, they named it kitesurfing and set out to boggle the minds of those who watched from shore.

The strength, agility and grace of kitesurfers is amazing.  Just watching a newbie learning to control their kite on the beach will give you a glimpse of the upper and lower body strength it takes.  My shoulders would probably be dislocated in the first five minutes, or maybe someone would eventually locate me over in Apalachicola after I caught a few high gusts.

If you see their giant kites on the horizon one windy day on Pensacola Beach, take the opportunity to head their way and watch this intriguing water/wind performance.  You won't be disappointed.

To watch a few seconds of the man above in action, you may click HERE.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Pensacola Beach!  I hope 2012 will be an awesome year for each and every one of my friends and blog followers.  To view some of the festivities on the island today, you may click here to watch the Polar Bear Plunge!

Art & Wine Weekend

It's once again time for Art & Wine Weekend!  This year there have been some changes made to the event, most notably being the location.  Instead of artists having their tents at various locations around the island, all artists will be set up in the core area between the Visitor's Information Center and the Sandshaker.

I will be there from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with baskets of note cards and double-matted photos in various sizes.  This year I have also added a few larger pieces - photos on canvas.  

It is a fun event, not only because it gives me an opportunity to display my photography, but increasingly I've had folks that follow my blog come out to introduce themselves or say hello.  So, if you're in the area, please stop by this weekend!  I'll look forward to meeting you!

High Surf on Pensacola Beach

Taken from my friend's condo on the 19th floor of Tower One at Portofino, you can see how the Gulf of Mexico is churning. You can imagine how large the waves appear at ground level.

Tropical Storm Lee - Monday morning

Things only got worse overnight on the island with multiple watches, warnings, and advisories: Tornado, High Surf, High Wind, Coastal Flood, Rip Currents ... and that's just in our area.

Obviously I won't be going over to the beach, so I took this video on our upper deck.

Sea turtle nest PB-7121

It's difficult to stay out on the beach for very long, not just because of rain, but gusty wind and blowing sand. This is what remains of our nest enclosure at PB 7121, west of Portofino.

Tropical Storm Lee - Highway 399

I was heading out to check on some of our Santa Rosa sea turtle nests this morning, but had to turn around just before the Welcome to Pensacola Beach sign. If you look closely you can see two frontloaders in the distance working to clear sand from the road.

I've been told that Ft. Pickens Road within Gulf Islands National Seashore has been closed and may stay so for a few days. Some areas of the road are covered by water and other by approximately 4 feet of sand.

TS Lee'ward

I think we can appropriately say this lady is looking Lee'ward, even if she is on the windward side!

Tropical Storm Lee at Pensacola Beach - Saturday morning

Although the surf was up just a little more this morning from yesterday afternoon, the wind definitely seemed higher.  I will try to get the battery replaced in my small, hand-held wind speed gauge this afternoon so I can use it next time I go out.

PB 7121, which is a loggerhead nest, took on quite a bit of water during the night. If you compare the video from yesterday afternoon to this morning's you can see that it has resulted in the accumulation of several additional inches of sand top of the nest. The whole area is also littered with jellyfish.

Invest 93

Invest 93 is just beginning to enter the Gulf of Mexico, but surface winds are already kicking up the surf.  You can see how fast the wave are rushing to shore.  Current wind gusts tonight are around 22 mph.  Another 5 mph or so and it will be time to break out the long pants to avoid being sandblasted.

Hopefully this is not something which will affect our remaining sea turtle nests, but the Ft. Pickens nest I was screening tonight was only 36 ft. from the waterline when I left.  If the waves (and tides) get higher, it could be a problem.

The lumbering loon

[You may double-click on the video above to watch it full screen and prevent the cut-off on the right. Afterward, click ESC on your keyboard to go back to normal viewing]

I've had a few calls and e-mails in the past month from people concerned about injured birds on the beach. So far, without exception, I've learned that the bird in question has been a common loon which came ashore to rest.

Yesterday I finally managed to capture a bit of video showing a Common Loon stumbling and lumbering its way back toward the water. Once you watch this you will understand why folks would think the loon has a leg or wing injury, when actually their legs are set back so far on their body that they can only manage to wobble about on land.

In the water, loons are very strong swimmers and divers. They also have four basic calls, which you may listen to by clicking HERE.   Mostly what I hear from the Common Loons on the beach are the beautiful 'Wail' and the 'Tremolo', the Wail being my favorite.

Sandcastles

The beautiful sandcastle I photographed on the beach yesterday morning is probably gone today, but I love discovering them and appreciate the work people put into building them.   It always puts a smile on my face.

Take time to enjoy the beach, build a sandcastle of your own, lay on your back and look for funny animal shapes in the clouds.  Relax.  Take a deep breath.  Listen to the surf.  There will always be deadlines and shopping lists and commitments in one form or another, but a postcard I once had proclaimed, "You'll never look back and wish you had spent more time at the office." 

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

~~ Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemons)

Gulf Islands National Seashore

How blessed we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country.   Pensacola Beach is flanked on both sides by the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July from my paradise to yours!

The Black Skimmer chicks at Santa Rosa are getting bigger and exploring the area around their nest. When I videotaped them yesterday morning, Mom and Dad Skimmer where 'changing shifts'.  One of them needed a break from those cheep-cheep-cheeping youngsters and walked away!  You see the other parent, complete with bed-head, heading toward the nest for their turn after the first one walks away.  The chicks aren't sure which one they want to follow.

Yesterday was the last day I'm scheduled to sub on a Santa Rosa patrol until July, so these little chicks may have fledged and gone when I return.

Ft. Pickens is my regular patrol area. Each section, Ft. Pickens and Santa Rosa, is special in its own way. Santa Rosa has many more Black Skimmer colonies. Ft. Pickens has more Osprey and Great Blue Herons, plus the old fort. I also enjoy watching the charter and fishing boats heading into the Gulf of Mexico through Pensacola Pass when I patrol Ft. Pickens, but no matter where I'm at, it's a beautiful day at the beach!

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is becoming very popular in our area and even if you aren't a participant, it is very enjoyable just to observe.