Down the street

 Looking down Chartres Street toward the St. Louis Cathedral.

The more common view of the cathedral and Jackson Square.

Coaster

Our view from our hotel of Busch Gardens across the street. We were not there to visit the park, but we did get a nice look at some big rides.

Tubes

Details of the pipes that make the Nocatee water slide work. Looks pretty complicated. One of two water parks in the community I live in.

Hibiscus

Courtyard door

A walk in the park

Unidentified bird

I photographed this bird at the Jacksonville Arboretum but have been unable to identify. The bird was part of a pair that was building a nest. It was difficult to get a clean shot because in the dense clutter of the tree. Anyone able to identify this bird?

Fan palm explosion

Blue Spring

Manatees

When the ocean cools the manatees in Florida seek the warmth of the natural springs that stay at a constant 72 degrees F. Blue Spring State park sees them congregate by the hundreds this time of year... in fact the park officials estimated there were 600 in the spring the day we visited.

Handsome fellow

Limpkins

Photo taken at Blue Springs State Park in Florida. The Limpkin is also known as the crying bird as it makes a distinctive and loud call that make you seem like you are in the jungle.

Memorial Day 2021

Went birdwatching...

... and this is the best photo from the outing. I should have known better. It was afternoon by the time we got there and apparently the birds had vacated the area. 

Last time I was here there were hundreds of birds and many species. Below is the ONLY bird we saw and this was shot with an 600mm equivalent lens. 

Maybe next time.

Another view

 An alternate view from my earlier post.

Egret and reflection

Skeleton Beach

Just north of Jacksonville, near where the St. Johns River flows to the ocean, is Big Talbot Island State Park. It offers hiking and great bird watching opportunities, and the skeleton beach (also known as Boneyard Beach) which has many dead and toppled trees on the sand.

East Coast Railway Foreman’s House #93

Our local history museum includes a small collection of buildings from the early days of Jacksonville beach (Beaches Museum History Museum and Park). It also includes a 1911 steam locomotive and tender, station, a chapel and several other buildings. It is a pretty nice collection and interesting way to spend an hour or so. Details of some of the other building are below. 

Bird Island boardwalk

Bird Island is a small but worthy oasis nessessled behind the public library in Ponte Vedra. True to its name there are always a large number of birds in the trees and in the water as well as several species of turtles. The park also has a maze and paths though the verdant native plantings. 

Blue herron nest