Converged windows

Sometimes things just look better in black and white.

Retention pond

All over Florida you see these ponds as buffers for holding rainwater, but they also are constructed to help drain the land, making it more suitable for buildings and roads. That does not mean that developers and engineers can randomly decide to create these pools without restriction. I know that county and state governments have strict rules about such things.

For example, in the community where I live, a section of protected wetland needed to be filled to connect a road. To compensate for the loss it was determined that a new wetland needed to be constructed in an adjacent area. Wildlife depends on the diversity of land for survival. These rules are in place to protect the essential character of the region.

Eye

Trunk

Taking photos at a zoo is always a challenge because there is always clutter around and behind the animals that take away from the subject. Close-ups are a a way to deal with this problem... in this case, an extreme close-up.

Wrapped up

Main Street Bridge

Jacksonville's unofficial nickname is River City. Indeed the St. Johns river flows through downtown which means there are quite a few big bridges over the wide river, but almost every city I can think of has a river running through it.

My first cross of this bridge resulting in a delay. Just as I approached the structure red lights lit and a gate closed. The lift bridge rose alloying one ship to pass. Twenty minutes later I was on my way. The other major bridges on the river are high enough to avoid the need to cut off vehicle traffic for river traffic.

Downtown architecture

Peoplemover

Jacksonville has a downtown transportation system that is pretty unique as far as I know. It is called the Jacksonville Skyway. I has been in operation since 1989 but has been expanded and upgraded several times since then. It has 8 stations, some on both sides of the St. Johns River, and is free to access... no charge to ride.

Of course the photo above does not show the peoplemover, only one of the brightly painted pillars that hold up the elevated monorail. The photo below is a view of the two car train navigating its way through the business district.

Dumpster