All In One

Today's sunrise photo from Harriet is a composition that tells several tales about Neptune Beach.

First noticeable is the lifeguard chair. Our three beaches cities here each have volunteer lifesaving corps. The American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps in Jacksonville Beach was founded in 1912. It was called "Pablo Beach" back then.

You'll also notice a seabird flying over the ocean, just above the chair. One of my favorite things to see while walking the beach is our seabirds. I always remember the gulls, pelicans, and sandpipers from childhood, but it was only after returning as an adult that I recall seeing the black-headed terns at the beach. Now I've noticed several other types of birds I'd never seen before.

If you look closely, in addition to the footprints of morning beach-walkers you'll also see some tire tracks in the sand just beyond the lifeguard chair. Those may be from the city's trash collection truck, but could also have been made by a four-wheeler operated by the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol. During nesting season, they patrol the beach each morning looking for signs of new sea turtle nests. Three species of endangered sea turtles lay their eggs on our beaches.

When found, a nest will be surrounded with stakes and orange tape so as not to be disturbed by anyone. People and businesses along the oceanfront are also asked to shield their lights so that the hatchlings don't get confused when they emerge, and will head in the direction of the surf instead of out onto the roadways to get squished by cars.

So great job, Harriet, of telling a few tales of our city all in one shot!

Opening of the Beaches

Harriet's sunrise photo this Sunday morning foretells a hot one! No sea breeze yet, and today is shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far. It's also the day for the Opening of the Beaches parade down in Jacksonville Beach. Hopefully everybody wears plenty of sunscreen!

Calm as a Lake

Thanks to Harriet, here's another lovely sunrise photo. Today the Atlantic Ocean looks as calm as a lake. A bit of tranquility to start your busy day!

Finally, A Sunrise!

After several days of blustery clouds and chilly drizzle, it looks like today is going to be beautiful! Thanks again, Harriet, for getting up and out this early to take a lovely sunrise pic.

Good Friday Sunrise

Good Friday in Neptune Beach

Today is Good Friday on the Christian calendar, a name I've never totally understood for the day on which Christ was crucified. Rain's in the forecast, but this morning's sky was so beautiful I just had to post this pic. If a red sky at morning is a sailor's warning, is a pink sky only a mild warning? Have a great Good Friday, and if you're on the sea, keep your guard up.

Thanks, Harriet, for taking these pix every morning!

Goodbye, Privacy

Goodbye, Privacy

I've been feeling the ground shake and watching the big animal-like machine chew up the house behind me. So when I left for my part-time job this morning, the photo above was the view out my back window. When I came home in the afternoon, it looked like this:

I was remembering Mr. Owens, who lived there with his wife since before we moved into this house, and how he used to grow grapes, oranges, and grapefruit in his yard when I was a little girl. All gone now.

Is It An Earthquake?!

Is It An Earthquake?

So I was sitting here this afternoon, working, when I felt the ground shake. Remembering the recent quake that shook my cousins up in Georgia, I wondered if we were having another!

But then it kept happening. My cats were also freaking out, and it sounded like heavy equipment. And it sounded nearby! Walking into the den, I noticed a huge yellow machine over the back hedges, and it looked for all the world like it was taking down the house behind me! Sure enough, when I walked around the block to find a group of my neighbors watching, this was the view of the nice one-story brick house with the barrel-tile roof that used to stand there. There was a sign on the front of the lot saying something about a custom home going up on the lot. My neighbors across the street checked Sunday's paper and found that it had recently sold for a lot more than my property is valued by the tax assessor...I guess my assessment will be going up this year!

That house was solidly built, had survived many hurricanes and near-misses with them, and was always kept up nicely by the older couple who lived there. I remember them as being older from the time we'd moved into this house when I was 8, and their grandson was actually one of my classmates in school. It's a shame to see it go, but I guess everybody wants only the new these days. Here's hoping that the replacement is an attractive addition to the neighborhood!