One Tank of Gas
The Gulf Islands National Seashore, established in 1971, preserved 14 miles of Santa Rosa Island in its natural state. Most people visit here to swim and enjoy the shore. Near the center of the area the National Park Service has constructed a picnic pavillion with picnic shelters and boardwalks.
For nature lovers, the area is a good stopping place to begin an exploration fo the barrier island ecosystem, one of Florida's most dynamic landforms.
Pensacola Beach:
Waterfront
Pensacola Beach: Waterfront
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This photo features Sugar The Wonder Dog. Dogs are not allowed on the beach so it was a surprise to see a golden retriver playing in the sand. -
The tall brown stalks that form wheat-like seed heads are called sea oats. -
White sand makes for emerald green water. -
This aerial shows the road that goes the length of Santa Rosa Island. All beach areas can be reached by road, but the road can't be seen from the water. -
The short fences were installed after recent storms to promote dune formation by trapping blowing sand. -
This is a sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico. -
The shoreline along the coast is uniform throughout the gulf side of the island. -
A two lane road runs through the middle of the island. -
Sea oats have a deep stem that may reach several feet below the surface of the dune. As the dune continues to grow, this stem send out vigorous branching rhizomes at or just below ground level. As a result a sea oat may reach to the very base of the dune that supports it with a laybrinth of rootlike structures. -
The modified branches of the sea oat insure that the plant captures an adequate water supply from the porous sand while at the same time staying firmly planted in position. -
The white sand actually traveled from the Appalachian mountains from local rivers. The dunes are tops with a smattering of sea oats. -
Some of the large dunes are likely the remains of ancient beach ridges that formed during a higher stand of the sea. -
Summer is best for saltwater and beach ativities; fall, winter, and spring are best for birds.
