June grass update for Walton County July 30th, 2011, AM:

0 on the June Grass Grossness Index. The surf has smoothed out considerably, the water is a beautiful soapstone blue, and I couldn’t find any June Grass aside from a few clumps on the beach. The wind is from the North and it is beautiful and sunny. I saw somebody enjoying some SUP surfing while I was conducting the morning bird survey and there were plenty of interesting birds to see. I know it’s tempting, but please don’t feed the birds. If you are patient you will see a lot of them while enjoying the beach today. I’d also like to tip my hat to the lady who was walking up and down the beach with a bucket and collecting trash. If all the visitors did that for ten minutes the beach would stay a lot cleaner.

 If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 27th, 2011, PM:

4 on the June Grass Grossness Index. We’ve been having quite a few thunderstorms coming in from the Gulf for the past few days. The water looks pretty nice, despite some moderate waves, but I didn’t swimming because I was having too much fun biking, and listening to frog songs, on this cool, breezy evening.

 If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 23rd, 2011, AM:

4 on the June Grass Grossness Index, despite a brisk SSW breeze. Usually a south or southwesterly wind exacerbates June Grass conditions and increases wave action, while a northerly wind flattens the Gulf and drives the June Grass away from the shore. You never know what will happen though. There were lots of gulls, terns, ghost crabs and even three black skimmers at the beach early this morning. It is still shorebird nesting season, so please give birds their space and, as always, do not feed them!

 If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 22nd, 2011, AM:

5-7 on the June Grass Grossness Index. However, there are very dense concentrations between sandbars, and other sea bottom features, so if/when the wind changes it may go back up to 10 again. There seem to be a lot of storm clouds off-shore but the water is a fantastic malachite green color and very warm.

 If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 21st, 2011, PM:

10 on the June Grass Grossness Index.

 YUCK! 

If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 15th, 2011, PM:

6 on the June Grass Grossness Index. The water is a beautiful emerald color. Unfortunately it is due to a lot of June Grass, but many people seem to be enjoying the water regardless. There is still a fair amount of sargassum in the water and on the beach. The moon is full this weekend, so the tidal change is more dramatic than usual. Keep an eye out for thunderstorms throughout the weekend. Due to extremely dry weather this spring and summer there is a Burn Ban in effect in Walton County, please limit your outdoor fires to  very carefully monitored BBQ grills. If there isn’t a current June Grass report up on this site I suggest checking the link to local beach cams on the left side of this page. They can often give you an idea of what the water is like.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 6th, 2011, PM:

1-2 on the June Grass Grossness Index, with a lot of sargassum still in the water, according to my husband. Due to extremely dry weather this spring and summer there is a Burn Ban in effect in Walton County, please limit your outdoor fires to  very carefully monitored BBQ grills. 

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 5th, 2011, AM:

2 on the June Grass Grossness Index. Conditions are much the same as yesterday. The Gulf is calmer, thanks to wind from the North. The water is a lovely dark azure. Keep an eye on the weather today.  Additionally, if you decide to visit Walton County this weekend there is a Burn Ban in effect. Today should be a great day for picnics, beach sports, relaxing, and water sports.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!

June grass update for Walton County July 4th, 2011, AM:

2 on the June Grass Grossness Index. The surf dumped a truckload of sargassum on the beach yesterday afternoon and there is quite a bit more in the water, but sargassum is better than June Grass any day. The June Grass has come back in a bit. The wind is ENE and the water is a little choppier, but it is still nice for swimming. There seems to be a slightly cooler current running west, parallel to the beach, that is a couple of meters wide. There are even more baitfish in the water today and some fishing boats seem to be having some luck just off-shore. Keep an eye on the weather today.  Additionally, if you decide to visit Walton County this weekend there is a Burn Ban in effect. Please leave the fireworks, including sparklers, at home. Today should be a great day for picnics, beach sports, relaxing, and water sports.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEACH RESPONSIBLY!