PHOTOGRATITUDE: Readers share the shots that make them feel blessed to be a part of Destin

When you live in paradise, you don’t have to look too far to find something to be thankful for.

In advance of our Thanksgiving Day edition, The Log asked readers to share their photos that make them feel blessed to live in or visit the Destin area.

Here are just some of the images readers shared with The Log.

Brenda Aliff, of Mingo County, West Virginia, loves the sea oats, the paddleboards and the sunsets. “My family and I are frequent visitors to this beautiful area. We love everything about Destin. I especially love your paper and its local flavor. For example, last year I read about the oranges for sale by the honor system by ‘The Orange Lady’ on Indian Trail. We made several trips by there to buy Hamlin oranges.”

Heather Hebert of Destin says “I am thankful for my Golden Retriever Henry and days at Crab Island with him.”

Chris Lambert of Destin says “I’m thankful our beaches have recovered from Hurricane Isaac,” which sideswiped Destin in late September. The storm passed largely without incident but kicked up plenty of garbage on area beaches.

Destin’s Andrae Harris is thankful for The East Pass as seen from Holiday Isle, which she calls “the perfect Sunset Locale.” She is also “thankful for the memories! Reid S. Wyant (R.I.P.) teaching his grandson to fish from the Destin Jetty.”

Angie Viator Eckman of Lafayette, La., says “I am thankful Destin has been like a second home to me. There is no place on Earth like the beautiful Emerald Coast.” She took this photo about 9:30 a.m. last summer from the Back Porch.

Wayne and Cathi Edwards, of Miramar Beach, says “It is wonderful to have so many fantastic friends on the Emerald Coast.” This photo is from the 2012 ninth annual Miramar Beach Burn.

Krista Martin of Focusing on You Photography says we are “so blessed to live in such a beautiful place that so many other people travel so far to visit!”

Sara Rodriguez of Shalimar is thankful that “even cold, cloudy days are beautiful on the beach.”

Carol Nichols Geier, of Lyons, Kan., is “thankful to be able to share amazing sunsets on an amazing beach with my family!”

Barry Dalton of Destin is “thankful to have days like these with friends and family in Destin.” He took the picture of Stu and Maya Bachan on the beach at Silver Beach Towers.

Tara Hearn of Destin says she feels “very blessed” to live here. “I am thankful for the gorgeous emerald waters, the fishing fleet, the amazing people who live here and for the awesome favor of God that covers Destin and the Emerald Coast. I moved here 5 years ago and still have to pinch myself.”

Photographer Jim Vail of Bluewater Bay says “I'm thankful to live here because I get to enjoy this all year long!”