Rain Forest Plants

Downtown Pensacola; Tuesday Night

Dinner at V. Paul’s Italian restaurant. It was a delightful dining experience. I had an Absolut Cucumber Martini, the best Martini I’ve ever had, Vicki had the Limoncello Thyme Martini, which she declared “delicious.” For the entre’ I had Linguini Alle Vongole with mussels, pretty good but not spectacular; Vicki had Spaghetti & Meatballs. She said it was good, but gave her leftovers to the homeless guy sitting on the sidewalk. We shared a bottle of Reisling with dinner, which made everything blend very nicely.

The restaurant’s soft light, quiet atmosphere and marvelous service made the evening one to remember. Prices were reasonable/moderate. We will be back.

Crowds are Back

Last ride before sundown.

Big Surf ahead of Cristobal at Gulf Shores, AL

Dreary Sign of the Times

Not a terribly scenic photo, but it is a sign of horrible economic times in south Alabama. All Gulf Coast beaches have been closed since March 27. Most businesses have closed and tourist rentals stand vacant. There were no spring breakers, no Snowbirds and the Hangout music festival has been cancelled. This portable sign sits at the edge of the Foley Beach Express about ten miles north of the Gulf of Mexico beaches at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Winter Reprieve

GULF SHORES, AL; March 6, 2020 – It was 68° F, there was no ice on the water, but it felt as if there could have been. Young folks were down at the edge of the shoreline, a few wading, some playing volleyball, many just lying in the sun, determined to get a tan before the end of their vacations. But elderly folks sheltered themselves from the northerly wind behind a public building, soaking up the sun’s warmth, glad for the reprieve of shoveling snow back home.

Dreary Winter Day on the Gulf of Mexico

There were a few people walking barefoot on the beach, but they were wearing their winter coats and avoiding the frigid water.

Wading in the Fog

Visitors wade in the Gulf of Mexico at Gulf Shores, Alabama this afternoon. The fog added a kind of mystery to the beach that brought out a few explorers, including a Great Blue Heron almost lost in the mist.

Record Breaking Cold

Frigid north winds blew the tops off two to three-foot waves rolling onto the beach, and brought record cold temperatures to the Gulf Coast last night. Sandpipers, Seagulls and Pelicans didn’t seem to be adversly affected by the cold, but there were precious few humans anywhere near the beach.

Quiet Chat

A quiet chat
on the beach
in November

Gallery Night, Downtown Pensacola, FL

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Every third Friday of the month, Pensacola, Florida hosts Gallery Night. Downtown streets are closed to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m. when residents and visitors are invited for free events, such as an art fair, and live music on the streets. Many restaurants offer sidewalk cafe’s in the shade of Live Oak and Sycamore trees.

I went to see the 26th annual Power of Photography show (a spectacular photography exhibit) and was pleasantly surprised to see all the activity going on in town. Vendors along Government Street offer for sale very nice arts & crafts, there is free music everywhere, and many businesses offer special prices on drinks. The official party ends at 9 p.m., but most bars and restaurants stay open much later in the evening.

The photo was taken outside Carmen’s restaurant on South Palafox Street shortly after the festivities began. I rendered it in brown tones because it just felt like an old-time community event.

Gulf Shores Beach

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Took a drive down to Gulf Shores this morning to capture some photos for my Alamy collection. Surprisingly, it wasn’t overcrowded. A beautiful day, just right for being on the beach.

Civil War Canon Protects Mobile Bay

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Civil War canon at Fort Morgan, Alabama points toward Mobile Bay. The misty appearance is a result of condensation on the lens caused by taking the camera out of an air conditioned car into the very humid air of a tropical Alabama morning.

Green Water, White Sand

Clear green water and briliant white sand line the beach of Santa Rosa Island, Florida.

Santa Rosa Island

The beach at Santa Rosa Island, Florida, yesterday, March 12, 2019.

Architectural Design with Photoshop Enhancements

Wall design in corrugated steel at the Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama with some color enhancements I added in Photoshop.

Fish River

A foggy afternoon with the camera pointed downstream on the Fish River from the pier at the National Estuarine Research Reserve Pitcher Plant Bog. Just beyond the bridge, fresh water from the river flows into the brackish Mobile Bay before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.

Dark Side

To enter you must have either a password or high explosives and substantial military backup! On the other hand, if you’re just dropping by for lunch, a credit card will work.

Mobile Bay

Looking south across Mobile Bay from the east shore at Daphne, Alabama. It was a dreary, foggy, winter day, but the light was fantastic.

Winter on the Gulf of Mexico

Fort Morgan, Alabama – Mid-day, the end of January. It’s cold, but calm. People come down to the beach for their morning walks, to collect seashells or driftwood, perhaps. Two men at the far right, near the horizon, were fishing from beach chairs while a Great Blue Heron closely monitored their activity.