Tag Archives: coastal dune lake

Weekly Photo Challenge: H2O

Posted on by
6

While the main feature of our vacation spot is a beach on the Gulf of Mexico, we have always enjoyed Alligator Lake and it’s occasional breaking out into the Gulf. But, only in the last few years did I discover its uniqueness to not only in the U.S., but in the world as a coastal dune lake.

imgp3102

Alligator Lake is held back from entering the Gulf by a coastal dune.

According to the Walton County Florida website:

Walton County is home to 15 named coastal dune lakes along 26 miles of coastline. These lakes are a unique geographical feature and are only found in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and here in Walton County.

The brackish waters serve as a stark contrast with the clear water of the Gulf. The occasional break through due to flooding or storm surge (and the occasional human interaction), usually only last for a day before the dune is rebuilt and holds the water back for weeks. This video captured the “outfall” from Alligator Lake in our visit in 2014.

This post is in response to the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Half and Half

Posted on by
8

These “half and half” pictures were taken on our annual trip to Florida last October. Returning from a day excursion to see my sister on the Alabama Gulf coast, I passed this cotton field with cottony clouds overhead.

IMG_20141029_161801

Back on the Florida beach the next day, we found that the coastal dune lake, Alligator Lake, had breached the dune and was emptying into the Gulf. Its brackish water provided a real contrast with the clear Gulf water.

IMGP0807

That evening, our last vacation sunset provided a beautiful contrast between sky and sea.

IMGP0899

For more examples of “half and half” click HERE.