Saturday, January 19, 2013

Siesta Key Beach and Red Tide

We took a trip to Siesta Key Beach south of us here in Florida.

The beach is the winner of the world's finest, whitest sand and also named the best white sand walking beach in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Being winter and a top of 68 F yesterday, the beach wasn't crowded at all. To us that was the perfect temperature to walk on the beach.

There are several miles of powdery, pure white sand to loose yourself in.

Earlier we had lunch at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar but with the red tide we didn't have any oysters. Their menu actually had items marked that were gluten free.

I had Caribbean yerk skewered scallops and shrimp and Gary had a hamburger. We never have beef at home so he splurges sometimes when we go out. I left my camera in the car so no photos of the food or atmosphere.

 Unfortunately the beautiful beach was littered with thousands of dead fish due to a red tide of karenia brevis.

 I was saddened to see so many fish in different sizes and shapes lined up on the beach.

 Sometimes naturally occurring events in nature seem so cruel.

Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

11 comments:

  1. Hello Linda:
    What a truly wonderful beach. Such a contrast with the white of snow here. But so sad to see all of the dead fish.

    We do hope that you are continuing to enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The most frustrating thing about red tide is that the only cure is to wait until it's gone. In these parts it raises havoc with our shellfishing both individual and commercial.

    The sand at most beaches here in the north is quite coarse. There is a small stretch of a fairly local beach that has that wonderful powdery sand. I was amazed to see miles of it in Florida.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You photos brought back great memories of spending a week or two in Florida each winter when my parents were snowbirds. I checked out the oyster bar's menu... now I am craving good seafood.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Linda. Sounds like a nice meal for both of you. Glad you had a good time there. David and I plan to spend 3 nights in Miami in early August. We would like to treat you and your hubby to either lunch or dinner, whichever is convenient for you. I'll email you later when we book our flight and hotel. I have no idea where you are located and hope that Miami won't be too far from your city.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What beautiful white sands. I can just imagine walking barefoot along that beach.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely beach and day! The seafood sounds so good, but that is too bad about the fish on the beach.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great photos!...probably a lot warmer there than it is here...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, the fish really saddened me, but not much to be done about that.

    Hi Suzi, thanks, I didn't realize the red tide would to that far north.

    Hi Michele, thanks, and to think we have barely touched all the places to go in Florida.

    Hi Gigi, thanks, oh I hope we can meet up with you, Miami is quite a distance from us. and be careful there is a lot of crime there too, will talk later.

    Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, oh you have the right idea walking barefoot in the sand.

    Hi Marguerite, thanks, the sand was wonderful, we plan to go back again.

    Hi Anthony, thanks, it was cold that day for there but I am sure warmer than you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Anthony I see your blog is on yahoo; just to let you know that I am reading but not commenting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The sand and blue sky look so inviting....sigh:) when we moved from town to the country years ago I was sadden at the brutality that is in nature....it was an eye opener. How refreshed your walk must have been....even with the fish washed ashore.

    ReplyDelete

I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment