Florida is full of beautiful beaches. However, the beach in Pensacola is exceptional! The soft, white sandy beach is accentuated by the sparkling turquoise blue waters of the Gulf.
Living in the mountains surrounded by the desert, I don't get to walk on the beach very often. This past week was a treat!
Whenever I have the chance to explore an area, I seize the opportunity to get outside and see what is there!
The beach was the first place to start. On our first morning walk, we found this creative sand castle decorated with the many broken sand dollars found on the shore.
Laughing Gulls were the noisy ones on the beach everyday.
The Sanderlings are in constant motion constantly running up and down the water's edge probing for morsels.
The first time I saw a single female Red breasted Merganser was on a recent trip to the Salton Sea. It was quite a surprise to see a flock of over 50 males and females swimming along the coast.
Since it was extremely windy, the feathers and plumes of the Great Blue Heron had a new look.
Sponge Bob would have been interested in the Jellyfish. Too bad we couldn't see these amazing creatures underwater when they have a totally different appearance. Both of these photos are of the Moon Jellyfish.
This is a Compass Jellyfish.
Some jellyfish have flourescent proteins that emit various colors like this Crystal Jellyfish.
If you are in Pensacola at the right time, you can catch a practice aerial show of the Blue Angels. Unexpected surprise!
Pensacola Beach is located on the barrier island of Santa Rosa. At the far end of the island is Ft Pickens which is part of the Gulf National Seashore. The inner part of the island collects rainwater in depressions forming freshwater ponds. With great habitat and being located between two major migratory Flyways, this area is a great place to go birding in the Spring and Fall.
This appropriately named Hooded Warbler perched long enough for me to get his photo.
The Sora is a resident of the marsh ponds. Usually, they hide out in the marsh grass so he was a great bird for us to see.
We saw 4-5 pairs of Ospreys taking turns guarding their huge stick nests up in the tops of dead trees.
Ospreys primarily eat fish so they are especially equipped to capture them. Besides sharp, curved talons, the soles of their feet are covered in sharp barbs called spicules which help them hold onto slippery fish. Once caught, they fly with the fish in an aerodynamic position with the fish head facing forward.
Pensacola Beach and the surrounding area is a very special place!
Thanks to Cathy, my marine naturalist friend and Kurt and Georgann, my birding expert friends who helped me with my identification.
