Skywatch Friday, 12/30/11

Spent some time this morning at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Beautiful, Reverent morning.
To see more views of skies from all over the world, visit the skywatch blog.

Labor Day

Monday, September 5th was Labor Day, here in the USA. Since I had the day off, I decided to go to Jackonville Beach to watch the sun come up. It's just under 5 miles on the walk I take, and I'm usually scanning the soil for pretty shells, sand dollars, or sea glass. As you can see it was very low tide at this hour as well. The beach seems miles wide!
The recent swells from Hurricane Irene certainly left more stuff on the beaches and I found quite a few pieces of sea glass. Not the real pretty kind, but I'll take what I find. :)
To the right is what I saw at one point in the walk, at about 6:20AM, EST
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The sun is but a morning star. ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden

big cats..

Hercules is one of the several tigers (among other animals) that live at the Cattyshack ranch near where I live. They brought Herc to the local Chick-Fil-A to do a litle advertising and fundraising. I've been meaning to try and get out there someday. Meow!

Jax Beach, 8/5/11

Thought I'd share a few photos from an early morning walk on Jax Beach. It was already in the low 90's by 8-ish AM, so after an almost 5 mile walk, I hightailed it back to some air conditioning..

Dreamette Ice Cream

This place has been there forever. Ok, so since the late 1940's..but this was my first time to try them. Reasonable prices, and delicious soft serve...perfect combination for a hot summer evening!

I got there about a half hour before closing on a friday evening and I was lucky to find a spot to park in their little lot.

After being chided by the owner for never having been there before (jokingly, of course...) I chose a vanilla/strawberry twist in a cup with rainbow sprinkles. YUM!

I can't wait to go back!! Will try a sundae next. or maybe a milkshake.. :)
And of course to get some more pictures!

Soup's On!

I recently found a new lunch/dinner spot in the Riverside avondale section of Jacksonville called "Soup's On". Lots of good, homemade soups and sandwiches, plus good iced tea to boot. Always willing to let you sample any of the soups, you could almost get by on that alone!
The restaurant is fairly small, but comfortable, and offers free wifi as well. The menu changes daily, and they always have plenty of frozen pints to take home and have later in the week. I found the dessert soups very interesting and have tried several, all delicious! The soup in this photo is a chicken/mushroom/lemongrass/noodle soup, and the sandwich is a portabella with pepper jack cheese and arugula.
Feel free to click on the photo to see in more detail!

Camera Critters

On a recent wander thru the Cradle Creek Preserve I spotted this osprey leaving the nest in search of food. Click here to visit the Camera Critters Blog and see many more critters from around the world.

Camera Critters

Visit the camera critters blog here to see more critters from around the world!

This picture was taken at the Fountain of Youth park in St Augustine. I didn't actually go into the fountain area, just wandered the area nearby. There were at least 5 peacocks, and they made quite a racket!!

Skywatch Friday

North Florida and South Georgia are being kept pretty smoky, with all the wildfires in the area. Some days it's not so bad. This is what I saw while driving this morning on the northside of Jax, just a couple miles from the airport. The view is on US 17 going south (towards downtown Jax).
Don't forget to visit the Skywatch Blog for more skies from around the world.

Camera Critters Weekend

Saw this fella (a blue heron) on my walk along the north Riverwalk, between downtown Jacksonville and the Riverside Arts Market. The river behind him is the the St Johns river.
Visit the Camera Critters Blog to see more critters from around the world!

Skywatch Friday

Saw these contrails on my way home from work the other day, and thought they looked cool...Don't forget to visit the skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world!

Skywatch Friday

Sun shining thru spanish moss filled trees in Southeast Georgia. Visit the Skywatch Blog to see more views of the sky from around the world!

Skywatch Friday

Recent sunset on the Trout river from the Bert Maxwell Boat Ramp. Visit the Skywatch Blog to see more views of the sky from around the world!

camera critter

For my Camera Critters post this week I'm sharing this furry squirrel. I saw him watching me as I walked along a path at the Cradle Creek Preserve in Jax Beach. I was rather surprised he let me take his photo!
Don't forget to visit the Camera Critters Blog to see more critters from around the world!

wildfires

Smoke from the wildfire burning in SE Georgia has been permeating the whole area for a couple weeks now. So far it has burned over 104,000 acres..

Camera Critters Weekend

I went to the Jax Zoo for the first time since returning from my vacation last month. We have lots of new baby animals to see, like this baby Bonobo. Just under 2 weeks old and as precious as can be! Bonobo's are similar to Chimps and share 97% of the same DNA as Humans have!

JAX airport

Otherwise known as Jacksonville International Airport. I spent some time here last week while I was on my way out of town for vacation. They have recently made some improvements, and I must say I like them!

This is just one of the new art installations on the inside of the terminal, before you get to security checkpoint.

More information, and a slightly better photo here.

Wednesday Doorway

This doorway belongs to The Sovereign Grace Family Church, located on the northside of Jax.

Riverwalk in December

I spend quite a bit of time along the northbank riverwalk that stretches along the St Johns River. Most Saturdays I can be found at the Riverside Arts Market. About a mile from downtown proper, the riverwalk is a great way to get there without dealing with the construction & traffic.
This is what Jacksonville looks like in early December, late afternoon.

running

This year they added a statue of a female runner to join the male statue that has been in place since 2002. Called "The River Runner", The statues commemorate the Gate River Run, a popular local race that has been going strong for 34 years. The Gate River Run is the largest 15k race in the country and serves as the USA 15k Championship.
Addendum: Both statues were created by sculptor Derby Ulloa, and commissioned by JTC Running, which is a local track club previously known as the Jacksonville Track Club.

Sunday at the Zoo

Went to the Zoo this afternoon, and it was packed! It's a goood thing I have a season pass, so it doesn't bother me too much when I can't get near some of my favorite critters. Some animals I hardly ever stop to even see, and some are just so entertaining, I will hang out and watch for awhile. This female lion was just enjoying a lazy nap in the shade.
Be sure to visit the Camera Critters Blog to see more critters from around the world!!

Flame of Freedom

Located in the Duval County Courthouse Annex is this memorial to freedom. It was dedicated on the 4th of July, 1969.

Skywatch Friday

Across from the Veterans Memorial Arena is this beautiful building. It used to be Old St Andrews Episcopal Church, but now houses the Jax Historical Society.   Be sure to visit the Skywatch Blog to see more skies from around the globe!

Good To the Last Drop!

Here is a shot of the whole Maxwell house plant previously seen here.

Wednesday Doorway

Well, it's not exactly a doorway, but the words on the handle speak volumes. The door belongs to a store in St Augustine that used to be a Woolworth's. I'm so glad they left the doors intact. The old Woolworth's in my hometown up north holds many memories of when I was young. Hot cocoa at the counter in the winter, the extensive candy selection, and the small pet area in the back of the store were among my favorite things there.

Macro Monday - the flame

At the zoo to see the Dino-Alive exhibit they had torches along the path to light the way in the evening hours.
Visit the Macro Monday Blog to see more!

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

Play Ball! For a baseball fan and a lover of music, today's family series betweeen the Jacksonville Suns and The JSO was a match made in heaven. They played Casey at the Bat, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and several other sports related pieces. I recognized most of them, but titles escape me.

Camera Critters

It seems that the giraffes were extra hungry at the zoo on Friday. As always visit the Camera Critters blog to see more critters from around the world!

Included is a bonus photo of the young giraffe. Love the little tuft on top of his head! :)

Skywatch Friday

For Skywatch Friday I have the beautiful (not crowded) Jacksonville Beach from January. Looking south towards the fishing pier. The pier is nearly a 1/4 mile long and a great place to walk and watch people fishing. On occasion there will be a small shark spotted in the waters below.

Visit the Skywatch Blog here to see more views of skies from around the world!

airport art

This interesting scupture entitled "Hoy es Hoy" (today is today) can be seen near the entrance to the Jacksonville International Airport. See more information about the sculpture here.

Wednesday Doorway

The side entrance to The Maxwell House roasting plant here in Downtown Jax. Smells heavenly, except when they burn a batch! Reflected in the glass  is the old St Johns riverport until it outgrew demand.

Treaty Oak

The Treaty Oak in downtown Jacksonville. Photo taken through a construction fence as they are making improvements to the park. It looks like they have added a few benches and constructed better walkways under the tree.

Budweiser Clydesdales

Driving home from the Arts Market yesterday we happened upon the Budweiser Clydesdales at the bottling plant here in North Jax. They also had free beer samples, of which I had a small sip. Not particularly fond of Budweiser, but it was free..
Anyhoo, here is a shot of the horses in all their splendor.Be sure to visit the Camera Critters Blog to see more critters!!

Skywatch Friday

But first things first: my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the devastating events going on in Japan now and in the future as they rebuild, as well as the Hawaii and the west coast of the US.
Today was another beautiful day...hopefully it continues as tomorrow is the annual Toyota Farm to Table event at the Riverside Arts Market. Last year it was amazing, so I expect this year to be about the same!

Here is a little slice of Florida blue skies from the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. The wood storks have started taking to the nests in the trees. Visit Skywatch Friday to see more skies from around the world.

Everbank Field

Home of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Seen on a beautiful blue sky day.

Wednesday Doorway

The entrance to the St. Augustine lighthouse. See the whole building here.

Tuesday Dinner

Tonight I stopped at Cici's pizza after work for supper with a co-worker and her little girl. We watched the sun set thru the door.

The ClockTower

This pond and clock tower reside down the street from where I work. I can hear the bird recordings coming from it to keep many of the nuisance animals away. I often see egrets, canadian geese, and th occasional anhinga here.

Camera Critter Sunday

While I was walking along the riverwalk yesterday I spied this heron near a small swampy area next to the river. There were several egrets nearby as well, but I don't come across as many herons.
Click here to see links to many more critters!

Riverside Arts Market

Saturday was the first arts market for the 2011 season. It was a (mostly) sunny day and very breezy under the bridge. A few changes for the market this year with a new boat dock installed for those traveling the St Johns River, and some food vendors new to the market this year as well!
Looking east towards Downtown Jacksonville, here is the new dock. The large boat belongs to the contractors who installed the dock and ramp leading to the riverwalk.

adventure day

Headed south to St Augustine today. We had beautiful weather, so my friend & I decided it was a good day to climb the 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse. In all the time I've visited St Aug, I've never been to the lighthouse. It was very windy at the top!

Sunset on the Trout River

Caught this beautiful sunset at a nearby boat ramp. Living on the east coast of Florida, there aren't many places where you will see the sunset on the water. Love sitting on a bench here to relax and watch the shrimpers on the pier.

One of my favorite places

This is the focal point of one of my favorite places in Jacksonville. Located in Memorial Park in the Riverside area is this statue titled Life, dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in WW1. March Theme day is "Your favorite part of town". Click here to see posts by other CDP blogs

Positively Prehistoric

The Dino-Alive exhibit at the zoo started tonight for Zoo members only...The whole environment, all the sights and sounds were awesome!! The display goes thru June, so I'm sure I'll be seeing it a few more times before it's all over.

Spring is near..

Tropic Blaze flowering peach tree, native to Asia. Photographed at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens on this gorgeous weekend. Spring is coming!!