Happy 4th of July!

It was a beautiful day at Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the perfect place to play in the sun and sand on the nation's birthday.



The sea oats (Uniola paniculata) danced on the south westerly breeze.




White clouds were a perfect backdrop to the sunny day.



I looked at this cloud for a long time, trying to decide what it resembled. What do you think?



The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) didn't seem to care -- they just wanted some fresh fish!

The Many Shades of Blue

There were amazing skies today.



Mother Nature must figure we deserve a beautiful day after all the recent rain.



The calm blue waters called to local fishermen...



And calmer skies allowed the Blue Angels to practice.



How do they do that? It's so precise, and so fast.



I'll get better pictures during Blue Angels Weekend.



Until then, these will have to do :)



I'd hate to have to pay their gas bill... but I guess we all do, don't we?