Always a perfect sunset

Posted on March 4, 2021 by dinajohnston

Nothing says Florida like a walk around a marina especially right before sunset. If you want to get a good sunset spot here, you have to get here early.

This was actually back in late October when I headed out for a long walk before sunset at the Dunedin marina. Even thought it sits on the intercoastal waterway and Clearwater beach is across the water, the sunsets here draw a large crowd. There was still plenty of room around the pier and marina the night I was there. It’s totally worth getting up off the couch on a late Sunday afternoon and driving 30 minutes away.

Since parking is hard to find around the marina, a lot of people who live close by have golf carts. It’s easier to get a spot for dinner at the nearby restaurants. The one above was decorated and they were very friendly, talking to everyone. I had to take a picture.

It was time to start hiking back to my car but I turned around and took one more shot.

Enjoying a sunset with hundreds of other people.

Posted on June 20, 2019 by dinajohnston

In late April, Brett and I decided to head down to Naples for a couple of days. We had not been to this part of Florida before and always passed the signs to get off when we’re driving over to Fort Lauderdale to visit his family. It’s only a little over 2 hours away so it was nice to throw a bag in the car and be on vacation so quickly. Naples is very different from the beach area in Tampa bay. Much more quiet and secluded. Except for our first night there, we decided to go to the public pier after dinner to see the sunset and since it was a Sunday night, so did everyone else. I’m glad we went since it was cloudy the remaining nights we were there.

SkyWatch Friday

Visiting my favorite pier groupies.

Posted on October 12, 2017 by dinajohnston

A few of the regulars at the pier; the famous great blue heron/great egret hybrid, a ruddy turnstone, a reddish egret, lots of snowy egrets always looking for a handout and great blue heron and reddish egret fighting over space on the railing.

Skimmers were skimming the bait fish.

This reddish egret was bored with me.

Shots of a beautiful morning at the pier. These were taken in early September, before Irma.

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A late walk on Daytona Beach

Posted on September 28, 2017 by dinajohnston

These were all taken with my phone during our one night stay in Daytona beach in July. After dinner with our friends, we took a long walk on the beach right before dark. This was much farther south of the busy area of Daytona beach, almost to Ponce Inlet. It was a beautiful night to be out and hardly anyone on the beach.

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Another episode of “Being a Tourist on the Beach”

Posted on March 9, 2017 by dinajohnston

I rarely go to Clearwater Beach anymore. It’s very crowded and cost a fortune to park, if you can get a parking spot. Although, it is fun to go over every once in while to see what’s going on. Right after I picked up my sister from the airport we headed over to the beach to walk around. She had not been in several years. We were hoping to get a good sunset but dark clouds had moved in. I guess the weather had kept most people indoors because it wasn’t too crowded the Tuesday before Christmas. It was fun walking around the beach and marina.

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Take an Iphone tour of Fort Desoto

Posted on September 3, 2015 by dinajohnston

A view of the gulf fishing pier from behind the snack shop.

A big boat coming around the corner near the fishing pier. This is the main channel where all of the boats come in heading to the port of Tampa.

A great blue heron watching the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as a storm moves in.

Turtle nests were roped off all over the park.

Looking out at the north beach marsh.

Pano of the northern tip of the beach.

A storm was moving in across the north beach.

Standing on the bay pier, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is partially hidden by the storm.

It was nice being at Fort Desoto park before the storm came. The threat of rain had kept most people away. There were a few people out fishing on the pier but the beach was almost empty. Not many birds either. So I walked around the pier for a while and enjoyed the quiet.

Skywatch Friday