Dunedin, Florida: April Theme Day: WATER: Honeymoon Island Beach

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I find it amazing, really, what an attraction we have for water. I don't mean just the water we drink, or wash with, but ANY water. Even water we can use for neither. Take the beach, for example. Honeymoon Island Beach, it's a State Park, is very popular. People come from all around to enjoy the beach... the water. If you take away the water, it's just sand. You can get it anywhere. But when you add water, it becomes a beach, a magic place. Even people who have no intention to get in it, drink it, walk on it, bathe in it, etc., will come to the beach... just to sit near it!

There are almost 200 Daily Photo bloggers participating in Theme Day today. I encourage you to wander through the list below, and check out 'WATER' around the world.

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Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Honeymoon Cafe, Kayak

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From the beach, looking up toward Cafe Honeymoon... or is it Honeymoon Cafe? I cannot remember! But I think you get the idea. A place for a drink and some grub, while you sit at the railing and look out over the Gulf of Mexico, and Honeymoon Beach. Not bad if you ask me.

In fact, if you look directly below the flag, you will see a couple sitting there, just then, doing just that. I like it! If you are in the area, and thinking about someplace new and different to try, why not try this?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Memorial Bench

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Stan and Rita have gone fishing. For good.

This bench, this memorial bench, can be found on Honeymoon Island Beach. Honeymoon Island is a State Park, and so far, every bench I have seen out there has a memorial on it.

I don't know Stan and Rita Maneski. Someone not only knew them, but loved them enough to take the time and energy and money to have this dedication carved into a bench and installed on the beach on Honeymoon Island. It makes me wonder, will anyone love me that much after I am gone? Or, does it matter?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Patterns

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Sometimes the shortest route... is not available!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Remains Of The Day

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Where does the day go? Where does the time go? One minute, we are sitting in the sand playing with our sand castle mold and bucket and shovel (all plastic, of course), and the next minute we are paying mortgages, bucking for a raise, and worrying about the world economy. While I wish someone would have warned us while we were playing in the sand, I'm glad I didn't see all this coming.

A note about yesterday's post: Live shelling... 'shelling', in general, refers to strolling along the beach picking up seashells (dead, no animal inside). Live shelling would involve strolling along the beach looking for, and picking up, living sea creatures in their shells. There are places along the Florida coast where you can wade into the water and pick up live scallops to take home for dinner, for example. That would be considered live shelling.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Live Shelling & Rip Tide Signs

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As if in counterpoint to the person on the jet ski, catching air off the tops of waves, we find the Rip Current warning sign. It can be quite dangerous to encounter a rip tide when you don't expect it, or know what it is. The natural instinct is to fight like crazy to get back to shore. Wrong.

As crazy as it seems, you are better off drifting out with the rip current, conserving your energy. Then, when it releases you, swim back to shore in a path that takes you around the current. 'For best results' read these signs when you see them, and ALWAYS observe life guard instructions or posted signs like these. It can save your life!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach SURF!

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You could also title this post: Crazy Jet Ski Dude Catches Major Air In Super Surf Off Honeymoon Island Beach! But that seems just a little bit too long, even for me! :D

As I told you yesterday, I was out on Honeymoon Island Beach to try to snap some cool wave shots. Since we actually had some 'surf' the other day, with the coastal surf advisory they had posted. Something to do with some weather system bringing in heavier than usual wave and surf activity. So I am wandering about snapping pictures, when I notice these two little black dots dancing across the wave tops. Huh?

So I pointed me handy-dandy 70-300 (attached to my Nikon D80) at the black dots. Lo and behold, there I see a couple of jet skis, complete with crazy dudes, riding the waves. I think he is actually wearing a helmet, but I cannot be sure. Not a bad idea if you think about it.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach WAVES!

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On a recent afternoon, when I checked the weather, we had a coastal surf warning, or some such thing. They were actually warning us about much stronger, bigger waves than usual. Well here with the Gulf Of Mexico, we just don't get all that much serious wave action. So I decided to head out to Honeymoon Island after work, and see what I could snap.

I soon realized that it can be difficult to capture the impressive increase in wave activity. This is due, in part, to the fact that the waves were still not big by most standards. But they were bigger, and stormy. We might usually see waves about one foot around here, and I would have to say these waves were more like three feet. I really tweaked this image to make it 'pop'. Check back to tomorrow to see what one guy did with these waves, and no, he was not surfing!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Ample Parking & HAPPY EASTER!

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Yes, it IS just a parking lot. Something about it must remind me of a happy childhood memory, because I like this picture. So I share it with you.

Notice, if you will, the largest building you can see in the distance. It's just to the right of the bathhouse down the sidewalk from where I was standing. At this angle, with the help of Google Earth, I am pretty sure we are looking at the Dunedin Mease Hosital. That's 4 miles away, by the way. Cool, eh?

You could hide a LOT of Easter Eggs out there to hunt for! HAPPY EASTER!!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach At Dusk

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When I look at this image, it brings memories of how it felt to stand there on the beach at dusk. There was a firm breeze, I could smell the woodlands of the island as well as the saltwater. It was peaceful. I could feel my 'batteries' recharging.

The amazing thing is that this place is just a short drive from Downtown Dunedin. It's only ten or fifteen minutes at the most. I think it must be the park admission that keeps it from being crowded all the time.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach 2

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Another view of the beautiful beach at Honeymoon Island. I hit the color tweak button to juice it up just a little bit. The sand beach is to the right in this photo, the scrub inlands to the left. It's great to see a bit of 'wild' so close in to Dunedin.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Dunedin Causeway Welcome Sign

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If you are looking for a good time along the Dunedin Causeway, or on the beaches of Honeymoon Island, this is the sign you are looking for. Once you pass its welcoming greeting you are on your way to fun in the sun.

On the Causeway, you can rent sail boats, kayaks, windsurfers and so on. Or just lay on the narrow beach near your car. Or walk your dog, play in the shallow water, or even enjoy the Pinellas Trail spur that runs the length of the Causeway. And that means either walking, jogging, biking or skating.

Drive just a little further, and you can enjoy the many features of Honeymoon Island. That includes a large expense of beautiful beach (a remote part of which is open for pets), a Nature Center, Honeymoon Cafe, various picnic and play areas, as well as a wonderful nature trail system through the wild northern part of the island. It's an incredible place.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach And Cabana View

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Here is another view of the beach at Honeymoon Island. It's beautiful out there, and it's just not that far away. Check it out.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island: Heart Of Rocks

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Someone thinks a lot of "Mom Koletsos". I came across this declaration of admiration on the beach at Honeymoon Island during a recent photo safari. It made me smile, and it still does every time I see it. I have no idea who Mom Koletsos is, but she must be doing something right!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Trail To Dog Beach, Hurricane Pass

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If you can resist the temptation to park nearer to Cafe Honeymoon, parking at the south end of the main lot on Honeymoon Island puts you right close to the entrance to this ordinary looking trail. This is the trail to the Pet (Dog) Beach, which borders Hurricane Pass.

Follow it out to the sand, and you will be rewarded with a nearly endless vista of blue skies, white sand, and the blue-green waters of the Gulf Of Mexico. Take your time. Breathe deeply. Relax.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island View 2

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This is another view from the Nature Center on Honeymoon Island. This view is looking to the southwest. In the distance on the right, you are seeing the Gulf Of Mexico. The building that seems to be on the water is the Honeymoon Cafe. To the left of the Honeymoon Cafe, in the far distance, you can see just a sliver of land with some buildings on it (easier to see if you click on the picture and enlarge it). That is Clearwater Beach. Left of those buildings, you see a dark green strip of land, separated from Honeymoon Island by a narrow bit of water. The green strip of land is the north end of Caladesi Island, and the water is Hurricane Pass.

Here is a satellite image from Google Maps that might be of interest. This image was captured before the nature center was built. The water at the bottom left of the image is the Gulf Of Mexico. The water at the bottom, where you can see a boat traveling, is Hurricane Pass.


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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island: View From Nature Center

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If you have any chance at all, at any time, you really must get out to visit Honeymoon Island State Park. There are a variety of features to enjoy there. It's only US$5 for a carload of people, or US$3 if you are alone. It's just not that far away from anywhere in Dunedin, so if you are a local who hasn't been there, then you are missing out on a real gem.

You can start at the Nature Center if you like. This is the view from the deck of the Nature Center, looking south out over St. Joseph Sound. You can see the eastern shore of Honeymoon Island curving away and into the distance. All the greenery is there for you to explore. There are beautiful trails out there, to get you into the woods, as well as the wonderful beaches facing the Gulf Of Mexico and Hurricane Pass. Don't forget the pet beach, and there is also a place to eat called Honeymoon Cafe.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Dog Beach: Dog Wash!

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I had thought the people who manage Honeymoon Island State Park must be pretty cool, when I heard they have a pet beach. But then, when I got there and saw this, I thought "These people are AWESOME!". I mean, this is like considering the whole deal instead of just throwing up some signs and leaving it at that. It is so nice to see them making the effort for those 'alternate family members' that we love so much.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.

Have you ever been to Romania? Brasov, Romania? Check it out.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Dog Beach: My New Best Friend

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As promised... Meet my new best friend. Actually, if I were really a true friend, I would know his name. Sadly, I neglected to ask. But he is a handsome dog, that's for sure. Like I said, he was having a good time, and getting used to the beach. I hope it was worth the wait Lara.

I have to admit, when I see medium sized and large dogs it makes me miss my dog. My good friend Buddy, who would run up and down the hill until his tongue was dragging on the ground. My curious best friend Buddy who didn't whimper at all when I had to wash him down with tomato juice in the middle of winter after he learned, the smelly way, about skunks. Buddy was a good dog, and I miss him still.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Dog Beach!

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While touring the Dog Beach, or actually the Pet Beach, on Honeymoon Island recently, I saw these two having a good time. It was a breezy day, as you heard yesterday, and there were not many people on the beach. Nice.

This dog is actually a youngster, and he was not too keen on going into the water when his ball rolled in. So his owner would have to pluck it out of the waves each time. She told me this was only his second time out on the beach, so he is still getting used to it.

There are not a lot of places around here where you can enjoy the beach with your pet. And I cannot imagine many places that would be nicer to take a dog. There is plenty of room here for lots of dogs. In fact, I will have to post another picture, later, that I took in the parking lot at this beach. They actually have dog wash-off stations!

I caught up with the two in the picture, and she let me take a picture of her beautiful dog. He was really friendly, and even gave my lens a kiss. Oy! But that picture is for tomorrow. See you then.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.

If you love your pets like I do, you might be interested to know that Amazon.com has a huge selection of Dog Supplies. You can help support Dunedin Daily Photo by shopping with these advertisers: