My final afternoon in Florida was spent with my parents at the beach (Indian Rocks Beach, specifically.)

The surf was UP!  While my mother swam like a mature adult, doing laps parallel to shore in a ladylike fashion, I insisted on attempting to body surf (with varying degrees of success), jumping into the waves as they came towards me, or standing with my back to the increasingly powerful waves while battling to stay on my feet.  Many of them swamped me entirely, but I managed to not get knocked down.

These shots were early on.  As mentioned, things got a little more active as the afternoon progressed.  After some time, Mom and I suddenly realized how far down the shore the current had pushed us, as Dad and the beach umbrella were now quite far away.  Working against the current, we made our way back closer to “home”.  Also, I found myself occasionally losing the sandbar I’d previously thought secure and in over my depth.  About the time I was thinking I should get a wee bit closer to shore, my mother strongly suggested I do the same LOL!  (Kids… whatcha gonna do?)

… photographing waves?? Ever. Big water, fresh or salt, will always fascinate me with its beauty, moods, power and even danger.

We were not surprised to hear the next morning that beaches for a hundred miles up and down the Gulf Coast were closed due to rip currents.  You can see some of this already above.

But it was a lovely day, and a lovely cap to my tropical sojourn.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.  🙂