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It's a Beautiful Day on the Beach Today On August 30th, we will observe National Beach Day. While this is an unofficial holiday, it is important to observe its cause. In 1929, the Knights of Columbus in Milwaukee came up with the idea of celebrating their beaches. It was intended to be a part of their convention plans. Unfortunately it never came to fruition. As the years passed, the government took actions to insure the beaches were clean and safe for people. In 1948 the Clean Water Act was passed ensuring that water quality and pollution standards would keep the waters on beaches clean. It is the Environmental Protection Agency that works with its federal, state and tribal regulatory partners to monitor compliance of the laws and regulations. In 1972 the Coastal Zone Management Act was passed by the government. Its goal is to preserve protect, restore and enhance the resources of the coastal zone of the United States. It is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and includes the great lakes coastal zones. In 2000 the Beach Act was passed. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency to set standards for testing and monitoring the water. It is responsible for notifying users of possible recreation water problems. In 2014, 85 years after the 1929 attempt, Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert created National Beach Day. The goal of this day is to show appreciation for our beaches by encouraging beach lovers to clean up trash left by others so that our future generations can enjoy them as we do. Thousands of seabirds, seals, pelicans and other beach and sea animals are killed and injured every day by discarded fishing lines, plastic bags, aluminum cans, oil spills and other debris. These items poison animals and get tangled in wings, beaks and intestines causing pain, starvation and a slow painful death of these innocent animals. As divers, we have seen the ocean floor littered with such items. Whether you are on land or sea, your motto should be "leave nothing behind but your footprints". There are many organizations around the United States that would be delighted if you would volunteer to give them a helping hand in keeping our beaches clean. Help keep our beaches beautiful and safe for everyone, including the animals. So grab your towel, make a sandcastle, take a refreshing dip in the water, and spend a warm day enjoying one of our cherished national resources, our beaches! |
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We give you "Sea Oats" captured on Little Talbot Island in Jacksonville, Florida. This is a valuable plant for our beaches and dunes as the tall leaves trap windblown sand promoting sand dune growth. It has deep roots and rhizomes which stabilize and enable them to protect beaches and property from damage due to high winds, storm surges, and tides. Some of the roots can be up to 30 feet in length! It also provides food and habitat for birds, small animals and insects. The federally endangered beach mouse seeks refuge in sea oats. This plant is protected in many south eastern states and you will suffer a misdemeanor charge and a hefty fine up to $500 for picking or disturbing sea oats. If you want to grow sea oats you can buy plants and seeds legally from nurserymen licensed by the state of Florida. It is not an endangered plant, but it has great environmental and economical value. |
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"Quiet Spot" was taken on Sunset Beach on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The original Hawaiian name for this place is Paumalu. During the winter months it is a surfers dream as there can be gigantic waves up to 15 to 30 footers. It is the home to the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which is part of the World Cup of Surfing. In the summer months the surf flattens out like a lake. It also lives up to its name by providing breathtaking sunsets. Beach access is prohibited and trespassing results in a large fine! |
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In 1983 a huge landslide just north of the cove dumped massive amounts of dirt and silt into the ocean. The Pacific Coast Highway was closed for almost a year as crews worked to clear the slide and stabilize the hill. The cove became filled with sand and sediment that was washed up as a result of the landslide. It is thought that eventually the sand will be washed away and the cove will once again be filled with sea water. The falls, creek and canyon are all named after an early settler and farmer from New York named Christopher McWay. He came to the area with his son in the 1870s. Julia Pfeiffer Burns, whom the park is named after, was an early pioneer who ran a ranch in the McWay Canyon with her husband, John B. Burns. |
These images are available in table top to wall size, triple matted and with or without a frame. The matted versions are yours at a 10% discount and the framed matted versions in sizes 11x14 and larger can be yours at a 15% discount. Visit our website, www.throughthelensoflee-margaret.com for available sizes and prices. Stop by and see us on Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 12 noon and 2p.m. to 5p.m. The gallery is open for arranged Saturday appointments. Call us at 904-387-8710 to schedule your special visit. Come see us and order now. If there's heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached to it. --- Jimmy Buffett |
"McWay Falls" was captured in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in California. It is located in the Big Sur area, along Scenic Highway one, a 90 mile stretch of rugged and awesomely beautiful coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to the south. It is one of two waterfalls in the United States that directly enters the ocean. It is a "tidefall" waterfall, which means during hightide it empties into the ocean. At one time the cove was filled with water...no beach.