There were several reasons to camp near Panama City Beach. One, of course, was the opportunity to photograph a beach known for its white sand and gorgeous ocean. The second was to give Tom a chance to meet up with friends he has treasured for decades that live in the area. While Tom shared stories with friends, Steve and I looked for some good items to photograph. I was not counting on just how crowded Panama City Beach would be. It is very much a popular tourist town!! Steve commented that it could just as well be Rocky Point!

We arrived early so not too many people had gathered on the pier.  The blue line you see on the left side is actually a metal 'sidewalk' that allows people in wheel chairs to get down to the beach.  It is also very nice for the rest of us … — We arrived early so not too many people had gathered on the pier. The blue line you see on the left side is actually a metal 'sidewalk' that allows people in wheel chairs to get down to the beach. It is also very nice for the rest of us as it makes it easy to walk in the sand.

Soon the pier was turned into a fishing festival.  Some folks were managing up to four and five fishing poles.  Small pup tents were set up for shade and for the kids.  Everyone seemed to be having a great time. — Soon the pier was turned into a fishing festival. Some folks were managing up to four and five fishing poles. Small pup tents were set up for shade and for the kids. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.

These three girls were such fun to watch.  They really wanted to be surprised by the waves reaching them but could not stand the suspense and kept peeking back.  They were having a really good time. — These three girls were such fun to watch. They really wanted to be surprised by the waves reaching them but could not stand the suspense and kept peeking back. They were having a really good time.

Taken from the County Pier looking westward.

Apparently the beach chairs stay on the beach.  We were there early and only a few of them had been claimed.  You may notice that the skies look a bit threatening. — Apparently the beach chairs stay on the beach. We were there early and only a few of them had been claimed. You may notice that the skies look a bit threatening.

There were small fish that could be seen from the pier.

Where there are fish there will be birds.

OK, Steve, you can stop showing off now!!  I tried and tried and tried.  No photographs like these! — OK, Steve, you can stop showing off now!! I tried and tried and tried. No photographs like these!

By golly!  Is that green belly a reflection off the green ocean? — By golly! Is that green belly a reflection off the green ocean?

I love photographing the underside of piers.  I was disappointed to find that this was a three 'legged' pier.  No matter how you choose to photograph it one of the legs will appear 'discombobulated'. — I love photographing the underside of piers. I was disappointed to find that this was a three 'legged' pier. No matter how you choose to photograph it one of the legs will appear 'discombobulated'.

When Tom finished up with his friends he called to see where we were.  We were already on our way back home.  He went on to a different area called St. Andrew's State Park.  Before arriving at the beach he drove by a swampy area.&nbsp… — When Tom finished up with his friends he called to see where we were. We were already on our way back home. He went on to a different area called St. Andrew's State Park. Before arriving at the beach he drove by a swampy area. By now the weather was threatening and the good light was gone.

Ummmmm.  No comment! — Ummmmm. No comment!

I like piers.  Tom likes waves.  These would be so much better with some sun on them to show off the green color. — I like piers. Tom likes waves. These would be so much better with some sun on them to show off the green color.