BEACH DILEMAS

Seagulls:  "Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine

Nigel: "Oh would you just shut up? You're rats with wings."

From FINDING NEMO

Aw, they took the food. Where's the food?

Okay, which way did they go?

ABANDONED

"Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered." ~William Shakespeare

The maze of small waterways off of the bay always makes me wonder if we'll ever find our way out. This boat seemed abandoned, but then again, someone may have been inside napping, taking advantage of the quiet, lulled by the gentle slapping of the water, rocked by the currents. The best sleep I ever have is on a boat. 

DAY AT THE BEACH

"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air...". 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My niece and nephew came to visit and we spent some time at the beach. It was nice to see them play in the water and sand and leave technology behind for a little while. Well almost.

Total relaxation--I envy him.

Everyone likes to play in the sand--even lovely teenage girls.

But, alas, not as much as texting.

RANDOM STREET SCENES

"It's not the destination but the journey... ."  

Walking along streets, peeking into hidden places and hunting for unknown treasures along the way, is a favorite past time of mine. You never know what you will find.

COME AND SIT AWHILE

HOW CAN YOU NOT GO IN?

GARDEN ART

PRETTY IN WHITE

COME ON IN

RUSTED

RED

GULF SCENES

My soul is full of longing

For the secret of the sea,

And the heart of the great ocean

Sends a thrilling pulse through me

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

FOR NOW...

"Nothing exists for itself alone, but only in relation to other forms of life."  ~ Charles Darwin

While we a still holding our collective breaths, the oil spill has not yet reached our shores. Unfortunately, the well is still spewing thousands of gallons of oil daily into our beautiful Gulf. We've had many friends and family visiting the past several weeks, and we always end up at the seashore. Everyone wants to experience its beauty while they are here, fearful that when  they return, it will be a different experience. 

As I was looking through the lens of my camera, I suddenly noticed the great blue heron walking on the waterline in the corner of the frame. 

I went closer to the water and there he was, slowly strutting in all his glory. I wonder if this is the same heron Barrier Island Girl named 'Alfalfa' in her blog last week?

He stopped shortly and stood quite still enjoying the gentle breezes and the beautiful water. I said a little prayer that he would be around for a long time and not fall victim to the toxic mess that is looming offshore.

A ROSE IS A ROSE . . .

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. 

`Emma Goldman 

A rose is a rose . . .

Even when we do crazy things to them,

They still smell as sweet.

SAY A LITTLE PRAYER

It is a curious situation that the sea, from which life first arose, should now be threatened by the activities of one form of that life.  ~Rachel Carson


As the days go on and the oil spewing out into the Gulf is left uncapped, tensions and anxieties are running high here in the Panhandle. Say a little prayer that a solution is found soon before our beautiful beaches and wildlife and marine life are destroyed. Remember all of our citizens that may lose their jobs and businesses because of this tragedy.


(Photos from archives--in better days.)

Sugar sand and emerald water

Clear waters

Female Kemp Ripley coming ashore to lay her eggs and a baby Kemp Ripley making its way to the Gulf.

Great Blue Heron at Ft. Pickens

Brown Pelican at De Luna Park

And of course, beautiful sunsets reflected on a clear, clean bay.