Pensacola Beach Blogger

After a few fair-weather days on Pensacola Beach, it looks like Tropical Storm Fay is finally moving in from the east.

No rain yet, but you can see the clouds approaching from the east.

Check back for updated pics of all the rain and winds!

He’s watching over the Santa Rosa Sound.

Just checked the tropical weather report, and I don’t like the looks of where Tropical Storm Fay is heading. Here are the latest computer models.

Lets just hope this doesn’t turn into Hurricane Fay anytime soon.

Bob Sikes Bridge, otherwise known as the Pensacola Beach Bridge, is the only way on or off the island by car right now. The toll is one dollar far a car, but you only have to pay when coming on to the island.

This picture was taken from a dock in the Santa Rosa Sound.

Check out the clouds!

Found this little ghost crab on my walk on the beach the other day.

If you’re gonna try ghost crab hunting, you have to be quick! These guys run at speeds of 10 mph! They also will hide in their holes when they get too close:

Some other fun facts about ghost crabs:

• They can see 360 degrees with their eyes that stick out from their head, but they can not see directly up. They burrow and hide in the sand during the day to protect themselves from birds.
• Ghost crab tunnels are about four feet deep!
• When the sun begins to set, these crabs run to the water to have the water flow over their gills.
• Ghost crabs hibernate in the winter, and store enough oxygen in sacs near their gills to be able to sleep for six months.

It has been a stormy few days here on Pensacola Beach.

Storms like this usually get the waves on the beach going. We’ve had a few red-flag days here on the island.

At last.. the sun shines though:

The band Mass Kunfuzion will be performing at the pavilion near the Pensacola Beach Pier tonight for Bands on the Beach.

Check out their website or their setlist to see what kind of music to expect. Looks like a good mix!

Remember, the show starts at 7pm. Hopefully we won’t get rained out. See you out there!

Keep off the dunes! You’ve probably seen that sign a few places around Pensacola Beach. The dunes protect residents and visitors from storm surges, and most of all, from drifting sand. The sea oats planted all over the dunes help fight erosion, and walking on the dunes doesn’t help this cause. The root structures (more accurately, rhizomes), help hold the dunes together, and walking on them could uproot or damage the plants.

So please remember the ecological reason for these plants and mostly man-made dunes, and use the walkways when visiting the beach.

It was a lovely morning on Pensacola Beach today…

The water was almost completely still!

Pure white sand, and emerald green water

When the water is this still, you notice all of the movements of the sea life:

What a great morning! Now that I caught the sunrise, its back to bed for me!

Found this strange little bug crawling on my back porch today. I spent about an hour online trying to identify it but I’m giving up. The best guess I have is that it is some kind of termite. Click the image for a larger version. If anyone knows better, please leave a comment!