Heading to the beach

Morning at a Florida Beach

For several miles along beach stretches known as Passe Grille and St Pete Beach, inviting walkways through grass-tufted dunes lead out to Florida Gulf Coast’s pristine sands.

Miles upon miles of wide, platinum-white powdery beaches reach northward and southward along the Gulf of Mexico. In the following shot, famous Don Cesare Hotel (aka The Pink Palace) livens up the beach with its vibrant pink domes…

Passe Grille Beach

Despite throngs of visitors flocking to these inviting beaches year-round, so much sand lies along the warm gulf waters that it’s easy to find one’s own little slice of solitude. I love spending a morning – or evening – completely immersed in nature: just sand, sun, wind and sea.

Exploring the beach environment up-close and in-depth reveals many intriguing sights that are easily missed if I’m entirely dead-set on sun tanning and swimming…

dune grasses sweep the sky

Pretty grasses thrive in low dunes backing the beaches.

Sea Oats are the beaches’ friend

Conservationists and park staff encourage sea oats to grow wild because they stabilize the dunes, slowly building a solid vegetation zone and preventing erosion.

Charming sand lanes meander through the dunes, leading to private homes and vacation rental houses tucked back behind the protective dune zone.

Rustic wooden beach chairs and benches have been placed at perfect vantage points for gazing at sand & sea, perhaps while reading a book and sipping a cold fruit juice…

Isn’t it grand

A variety of delicate vines creep out onto sand, spreading roots, adding splashes of color and showcasing bright flowers…

Splash of color on sand

Golden flowers stand tall amidst the dunes, glowing in early morning sun as well as sunset light…

Kissed by sun

All sorts of small shells lie scattered through the sand. Taking time to examine them up close reveals delicate shapes and detailing..

Get down close…

Ibis at sea

Water birds, like these Ibis, wander the shores early mornings and late evenings in search of food in the gentle sea water washing ashore.

Mr. Pelican catches some sun

Grand pelicans live all along the Gulf Coast.

4th of July sea raft

Every day at the beaches brings something new. I came across curious raft the day after 4th of July celebrations.

Sunset Beach gets the show underway

When my morning explorations are done and I’ve enjoyed my dose of tanning or swimming, it’s time to retreat before Florida’s midday heat scorches the sands.

I can always look forward to the evening when lovely, ever-changing colors paint the clouds, sand and skies with a natural artistic display.

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