Take a peek at a few videos of beautiful places to Explore Walton County and the surrounding area
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Snow falls in North Walton County Feb. 12
Unique weather system on Feb. 12 created some fun for locals in North Walton.
Soft snowflakes near Paxton. Photo courtesy Kerry Trossbach
Grady Luke Gomillion makes his first snow ball ever on Feb. 12. Photo courtesy Jenny Gomillion
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Hootie hoo are you?
Photo courtesy Rick Thomason.
This Eastern Screech Owl was photographed in the Mack Bayou area of Santa Rosa Beach. He (she) sat patiently as the photographer climbed into the bed of a pick-up, then up on the toolbox to grab the shot.
Although the photo is not recent, it was the third consecutive spring the owl had made this tree its home. A slightly cropped version of this photo appeared in an ad in the October, 2007, edition of National Geographic Magazine.
Rick Thomason is an avid local photographer who enjoys shooting both nature subjects and architecture. He may be contacted at rickthom@yahoo.com To learn more about Rick’s photography, click here
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Ice dream truck in Blue Mountain Beach
Photo courtesy www.brandanbabineaux.com
Local resident Brandan Babineau shot this photo of Justin Gaffrey’s icy truck in Blue Mountain Beach Jan. 10. Looks like someone left the water on, perhaps just for some icy fun! Freezing temperatures have left this icy art intact for a few days.
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DeFuniak Springs farmer harvests
12 pound sweet potato
David Adams with a 12 lb. sweet potato.
That is one big sweet potato!
David Adams with Adams Farms recently harvested their largest sweet potato to date. Their sweet potato crop is ready and priced at $5 for a 5 gallon bucket. Call ahead: Tel: 850-978-2747. Directions: From Hwy. 90 in DeFuniak Springs, take Hwy. 83 north. Turn right on Hwy 185 and go approx. 2 miles. Farm is located at 257 T.R. Miller Road. Website: www.adamsfarminc.com
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Bald eagle soars over Western Lake in Walton County
Southern Bald Eagle scans for fish over Western Lake. Photo courtesy Jamie Conely.
Local resident, bird lover and avid photographer, Jamie Conely captured this beautiful bald eagle Dec. 16 perched on a dead tree on the north side of Western Lake in Santa Rosa Beach. Thank you for sharing Jamie! For more information about the come back of our national bird in Florida, Click here
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Late afternoon on a coastal dune lake
A late fall sun casts splendid shades of color on a sand dune on Camp Creek Lake in South Walton. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com
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Photo courtesy Brandanbabineaux.com
Beautiful sunsets abound in South Walton
Local photographer Brandan Babineaux captured this beautiful sunset Nov. 10 on the beach in South Walton. Colors come to life during the winter’s southern sunsets in the Florida Panhandle. Living in one of the most beautiful places in the world has its rewards. To learn more about Brandan’s incredible photography, go to: www.brandanbabineaux.com.
Picture perfect paddle
Local Joe Moore paddles in from a glassy evening on the Gulf of Mexico Nov. 2. This incredible photo was taken by Brandan Babineaux, www.brandanbabineaux.com.
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“This is the one I want”
A perfect pony at the Walton County Fair: Hailee, the granddaughter of David and Kerrie Thompson of Ponce de Leon finds the perfect pony at the Walton County Fair on Oct. 24. The week long fair included livestock shows and competitions, rides, handicrafts, horses, photography, poultry, pumpkins, baked goods and good old county fair fun.
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The end of the day in South Walton
The end of the day on Camp Creek Lake in Walton County. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley
Ahh… the spectacular sunsets of Walton County Florida on a cool fall evening. The indigenous beauty of a coastal dune lake reflects the end of the day.
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It’s scuppernong time!
Photo courtesy brandanbabineaux.com
Called a scuppernong or muscandine, the wild grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is valued for its edible, tasty fruit. Currently bearing fruit along the Panhandle, the grapes are a favorite food source for white-tailed deer and other wildlife also eat the fruit, including black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, and opossum. Songbirds such as cardinals, mockingbirds, robins, cedar waxwings, consume the fruit and are essential to the dispersal of wild grape seeds.
Humans also enjoy the unique fruity flavor of the grapes and make jellies, jams, juices, and wines from the fruit. Commercial production is small, but they are widely grown for home use and local markets in southeastern states. Native Americans in Florida also made a blue dye from the grapes.
Source: University of Florida, IFAS
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A Green Heron on Lake Powell
Green heron spotted along Lake Powell.
This beauty, was spotted perched on a dock along Lake Powell Sept. 6.
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It’s a great big world out there!
A loggerhead hatchling heads to the Gulf. Photo courtesy Rebecca Wilson.
In the early evening hours of Aug. 8, Rebecca Wilson was at the right place at the right time, as she witnessed the hatching of South Walton turtle nest No. 7 near Stallworth Lake.
Rebecca, a professional wildlife photographer was able to capture the hatching of nest No. 7 on camera without using any flashes.
“I’ve been waiting 26 years for this,” Rebecca said to South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers Anthony and Sherry Head, who arrived around 7:30 p.m.
By the time Anthony and Sherry arrived there were 49 turtle all over the beach headed for the Gulf. Click here to learn more about our local sea turtles
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A good day fishing for snapper and mackerel!
L-R...Kay Phelan, Nancy Bown, Joy Saddler, Annie Logan (kneeling), Tracy Owens and Kimmi Murphy
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Mid-morning breakfast at Hogtown Bayou
This hungry osprey is perched on top of a long leaf pine enjoying its catch of the day at Hogtown Bayou in Santa Rosa Beach. On any given morning, ospreys can be spotted along with other raptors such as red-tailed hawks, and a variety of herons catching their daily meals.
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Chairs for two
South Walton resident, Brandan Babineaux shot this nice photo of a serene and inviting beach set up at One Seagrove Place. The recent low humidity almost fooled everyone as it provided a fall-like atmosphere. Photo courtesy brandanbabineaux.com
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- Railroad vine blooms near Blue Mountain Beach.
Beautiful summer plant strengthens sand dunes
Always a pleasant sight along our sand dunes, the beautiful blooming railroad vine is also an important protector of our sand dunes. As with the sea oats, the plant helps to stabilize the dunes by rooting at nodes all along its length, and is often planted for that purpose.
Each flower opens only once, in the morning, but keep blooming almost all year long, peaking from May through November.
The railroad vine is native and part of the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) Family. It is an herbaceous vine that grows wild on ocean shores from Florida to Texas and Georgia.
They open in the early morning and close before noon each day that the plant is in bloom. Small, round seedpods that contain four velvety, dark brown seeds appear on this plant after flowering.
General Information:
Scientific name: Ipomoea pes-caprae
Common name(s): railroad vine, beach morning glory, goat’s foot vine
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While mowing my yard this morning, I almost ran into this enormous spider web. This spinybacked orbweaver had woven a web more than 6 ft. in diameter, stretching across the branches of an oak tree.
Vacationing Fletcher Lindberg caught this king mackerel while kayak fishing approximately 150 yards off Grayton Beach on July 8.
Local Stacy Hamilton snapped this colorful photo of the Rags to Riches Regatta from Seagrove to Grayton Beach on July 3.
Snowy plovers and least terns nesting at Grayton and Deer Lake State Park
This fledgling snowy plover is learning to fly while its mother watches on at Grayton Beach State Park. Photos courtesy Rex Lavoie, park volunteer. Spread your wings little snowy plover!
Grayton Beach State Park is hosting two least tern nests and one snowy plover nest this late spring. Deer Lake State Park has four least terns and two snowy plover nests.
Please be careful as you walk along these State Park beaches as the young fledglings will be learning to fly and have little cover from predators or human traffic.
- Red pitcher plant (Sarracenia Rubra Subsp. gulfensis). Photo courtesy Josh Foreman
Local encounters endangered pitcher
plants along South Walton creek
Local Santa Rosa Beach resident Josh Foreman happened upon some rare beauties – endangered indigenous pitcher plants, on a walk near Camp Creek Golf Course recently.
Josh explains: “Yellow pitcher plants (Sarracenia Flava) first caught my eye near a small creek flowing east towards Alys Beach, after following the creek a short distance my eyes found a little patch of young white topped pitcher plants (Sarracenia leucophylla) ready to grow up. This particular variety is found along the Gulf Coast.
Josh Foreman is a Santa Rosa Beach resident and owner of 30A Bike Rentals. For more information, go to www.30abikerentals.com
A view of Morris lake overflow. Photo courtesy Brandan Babineaux
Morris Lake overflow at Topsail Hill Preserve
Local photographer Brandan Babineaux snapped this aerial photo of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on May 17. Spring rains created an overflow from Morris Lake closing the trail to the Gulf of Mexico. For more information about Brandan and his photography, go to: http://brandanbabineaux.com
Boiling Creek a paddle thorough pristine water
Boiling Creek is a beautiful, pristine paddle, full of cypress trees, water lilies and a variety of pitcher plants along its banks. The water is crystal clear, and you will see colorful underwater grasses rippling below, as you meander through the slow moving twists and turns. For more info: CLICK HERE
For more information about Topsail Hill Preserve State park, click here for story, or go to the park’s website at: http://www.floridastateparks.org/TopsailHill/
Reflecting on the end of the day
Local photographer Brandan Babineaux snapped this photo of a skim boarder reflecting the end of the day at Seagrove Beach recently. Looks to be a perfect ending of another day in paradise. For more information about Brandan and his photography, go to: http://brandanbabineaux.com
Singing a song for food
Feed me, I’m hungry!
These hungry mockingbird chicks look hungry as Jacquee Markel of Dune Allen snapped this photo. Jacquee said every time she or her husband Kenny went near the nest, the babies would stick their beaks out looking for food.
Dan Margagliano of the Surfrider Foundation gets some help from volunteers at Beach Clean Up Day. Photo courtesy Bobby Johnson.
Volunteers clean up beach
Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter hosted a beach clean up day May 10 at Ed Walline beach park on the corner of CR 393 and Scenic 30A. For more information about the Surfrider Foundation, go to Surfrider.org
Blue lupine in bloom along the dunes at Camp Helen State Park. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com
Blue lupine blooms in spring
In spring, the sand dunes along the beaches in South Walton are dolloped in blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is threatened and endemic to Florida.
Their habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. Some say that this rare perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one.
Early explorers to the panhandle did see Blue Mountain Beach covered in Lupine and gave it the affectionate name that we now call it, even though this plant is becoming more rare due to habitat loss.
Alligator Lake awash in color
Local photographer Brandan Babineaux took this photo of blooming water lillies on Alligator Lake in Santa Rosa Beach recently. The vibrant blue sky saturates the water with a vibrant reflection. For more information about Brandan and his photography, go to: http://brandanbabineaux.com
A cool, clear, beautiful morning in Walton County
Locals enjoy a colorful ‘hangout’
- Zane, and Ryne Sandro look on as Billy Johnson rigs up the tree climbing apparatus. Photos by Brandan Babineaux
Local photographer and tree climber, Brandan Babineaux shared his love for getting into the trees with a few local kids on April 8. Zane Johnson, son of Billy Johnson is shown above in this vivid and colorful photo at one of their secret spots near Bowman Bayou in Santa Rosa Beach.
For more information about Brandan and his photography, go to: http://brandanbabineaux.com
Kids have fun learning at Earth Day celebration
Lots of activities entertained and educated children on Saturday Apr. 18 as folks celebrated Earth Day at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. There were booths and programs that included storytellers, puppet shows, book readings and music.
Nonie Maines with a captive audience. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com
Nonie Maines of Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters educates the children on frogs. Nonie hosts “EVEntuers” and animal encounter parties. To learn more about Nonie’s Ark, go to noniesark.com.
Children painted skimmers and least terns. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted bird painting for the children. The painted skimmers and least terns will be placed on beaches to encourage nesting of the birds. For more information on shorebirds, go to: www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/shrbird/shrbird.html
For more information about Topsail Hill State Preserve go to: www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill
First bluebird chick of the season hatches at Hammock Bay
Great news for spring!
Naturalist Joe Wyatt was checking the bluebird boxes March 10, and found the first hatched chick. Attached is a photo of the first of many this season.
Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay in Freeport, has been running a bluebird breeding program to increase the numbers of these beautiful indigenous birds.
The success has been quite good. In 2008, the program recorded 317 bluebird fledglings, which resulted in a success rate of 77.78%.
A day in South Walton at the beach … nice!
A day in South Walton sight casting for cobia … priceless!
Take a trip to Morrison Springs
Morrison Springs is located in the most southeastern part of Ponce deLeon just inside the Walton County line. From Freeport, take State Road 20 east to State Road 81 and go north past Red Bay to County Highway 181C. Turn right and continue 1.6 miles. Turn a right on Morrison Springs Road.
The newly renovated Morrison Springs. For related story CLICK HERE
YOLO sunset
As Mother Nature’s beauty comes to life in a simple sunset, we are reminded of what a beautiful place it is that we live.
This photo was captured by local freelance photographer, Shelly Swanger.
“I was watching this couple enjoy the sunset from their YOLO board..it was really sweet because she was sitting in front and he was slowly paddling her around,” Swanger said.
Swanger lives in Santa Rosa Beach and also works at Smiling Fish Café. For more information about her photos go to: www.shellyswanger.com
Mike Ragsdale and daughter Holly enjoying the nice weather on his new YOLO board.
Locals out enjoying the spring-like temps
With the local temps up into the highs of 70 degrees, locals in Walton have been enjoying the weather.
Santa Rosa Beach resident Mike Ragsdale took the opportunity today to enjoy the weather by purchasing a new YOLO board.
The YOLO stand up paddleboards are popular among locals in the area and the home base for the company as well. For more information about YOLO boards go to YOLOboard.com.
Kids hang with the Krewe at Baytowne
Jackie Roe made a couple of canine friends at the Krewe of Arpheous Dog parade at Baytowne Wharf Feb. 21. Jackie is the daughter of Kelly and Steve Roe of Santa Rosa Beach.
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Early morning by Eric Marcus.
Putting a new perspective on our environment
Early morning by Eric Marcus.
Eric Marcus has a creative eye for altering his local nature photography and adding a twist. Eric took this photo recently of in Santa Rosa Beach. The photo has an inviting feel, as though you wonder what the misty morning will bring.
For more information about Eric Marcus, contact: www.emmarcusphotography.com
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Local couple enjoy a special treat as they
drink their morning coffee
Mike and Angela Ragsdale enjoyed a pleasant surprise in their backyard on Jan. 10.
As they sipped their sunrise coffee, a bald eagle swooped in over the Bay and landed on a pine tree branch in their yard.
“He sat there for 30-40 minutes, obviously looking for some breakfast,” Mike said.
Mike and Angela live on the Choctawhatchee Bay in Santa Rosa Beach.
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Seagrove Beach by Eric Marcus.
Putting a new perspective on our environment
Eric Marcus has a creative eye for altering his local nature photography and adding a twist. “My latest exploration is into digital art. By taking nature photographs, inverting them into an almost infra-red state and then adding color, they turn nature on it’s head and we see things we might not ordinarily see,” said Eric. For more information about Eric Marcus, contact: www.emmarcusphotography.com
- The cypress trees at Morrison Springs cast a golden-brown hue on the crystal-clear water of Morrison Springs. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Rylan Kreps tossing a line in. Photo courtesy Lorre James
Wishful fishin’
Ryland Kreps was visiting his grandma Lorre James recently and dropped a line in The Gulf of Mexico near Miramar Beach.
Blues and greens make holiday scenes
A brightly decorated tree lights up Alys Beach even in the daytime, providing a color contrast of blues and greens against the pale blue sky. /
Autumn sunset at Dune Allen beach. Photo by Tom Sloyan
Reeling in a beauty
Local Tom Sloyan went fishing on Nov. 1 at Dune Allen Beach. Tom didn’t catch any fish, but reeled in some sunset beauties. Tom is co-owner of Daisy’s Garden shop on Veteran’s Road. 850.200.5571. Watch a slideshow of Tom’s sunset pictures. CLICK HERE
South Walton’s Gary Wise wins in the C2C Paddle Challenge in Cocoa Beach
- Santa Rosa Beach local, Gary Wise placed first in the 14’ division in the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum’s 2nd Annual Causeway to Causeway (C2C) Challenge Saturday, October 18 in Cocoa Beach, FL.
A cool morning paddle on Western Lake
More than 14 kayakers paddled Western Lake from Grayton Beach State Park on Oct. 19. As one of the Back to Nature Festival activities, the kayakers toured the coastal dune lake and enjoyed a discussion about the lake’s indigenous flora with Sarah Kalinoski from the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Hanging around the mullet hole
Folks gather for a laid back Sunday at the local mullet hole off of Black Creek near the Mitchell River in Freeport. Locals say everyone enjoys a day out on the rivers whether the mullet are jumping or not. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Let a sunflower brighten your day
Wetland Sunflowers (Helianthus heterophyllus)
These indigenous beauties can be found all around Walton County this time of year. Blooming in the fall, these flowers provide a bright yellow cast around local wetland areas and roadsides. Photo courtesy Lori Ceier
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). Photo by Lori Ceier
A butterfly flutters by
A blast from the past
Clyde B. Wells Bridge circa 1989 - Connie Bailey of Santa Rosa Beach took this photo of the bridge while under construction.
Posted under Beaches
This post was written by walton outdoors on January 7, 2009
Lori…
Very cool site. So glad you include the whole county and then some. I’ll be adding your link to my blog and to my partners real estate e-letter as a great new information resource.
Best of luck to you,
Laurel Abbe
Your web site is so wonderful, well rounded with interest for everyone. I am an advid photographer of nature myself so I love all your photos. I will be visiting your web site daily…thank you so much.
Ellara Denny
Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pics of my home county. I’ve lived abroad for nearly 20 years and it’s so nice to see such beautiful reminders of where I grew up and where I return to each year!
The image above & labeled Sarracenia rubra Subsp. gulfensis appears as a Hybrid of Sarracenia leucophylla (possibly) x rubra