The Pelican

He's not watching me so much as looking for a handout!  I rarely get a close shot of pelicans.  

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!

Seeing

Dune sunflowers are blooming all over the island, teasing us with thoughts of warm summer days and bright turquoise water. 

"Merely looking at the world around us is immensely different from seeing it."

~~ Frederick Frank (1909 - 2006)

Nightlights

I didn't have a tripod as I exited The Grand Marlin tonight, so I used the handiest thing I could find to brace my camera - a wall.  The lights are lovely, but it's also startling to see the difference which has occurred in less than a decade. 

“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)

Barefoot

"If I had my life to live over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall..."

~~ Nadine Stair

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!

Quite a spectacle

"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)

Gray Days

We've certainly had our share of gray days lately, but I believe I'm beginning to see a little blue.

December sunset

"One of the most satisfying experiences I know is fully to appreciate an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look at a sunset...I don't find myself saying, 'Soften the orange a litle more on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color...' I don't try to control a sunset. I watch it with awe as it unfolds."

-Carl R. Rogers (1902 - 1987)

Art & Wine Weekend follow-up

I'd like to extend my thanks to all the folks who came out to support us at the Art & Wine Weekend.  We had so much fun. It was also great to meet more of my blog followers who stopped by to say hello!

I'm going to take a couple of weeks to do a bit of traveling and get away from telephones and computers. {{{Gasp!!!}}}  I'll be back the third week of October to catch up on my blog.

Sadly, I will be missing the Pensacola Greek Festival this year.  If you have a chance, please check it out during the weekend of October 14-16.  There will be great food and wonderful Greek music, dancing, and costumes.  You may check out more about the event and even download a copy of the festival program by clicking HERE. 

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!

Another morning view

Another moment from my patrol at Santa Rosa this morning.

Last Patrol of the Season

This morning was my last sea turtle patrol of the season. It turned out to be in the Santa Rosa area instead of Ft. Pickens, my usual patrol area. I was treated to another spectacular sunrise as I neared the eastern end, which stops at Navarre Beach.

It was a bit sad, but it has been a fantastic year for us. We had over 80 sea turtle nests in our entire area which includes Perdido Key, Ft. Pickens, Pensacola Beach, and Santa Rosa. As usual, we mostly had Loggerhead nests, but this year we also had a few Greens and a couple of Kemps ridleys. Outstanding!!!

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

~~ C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)