Copyright: Jurgen Brauer, Augusta, Georgia, USA

1. Invited to give a speech in Jacksonville, FL, my wife and I took the opportunity, about half the distance along the way, to visit Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Savannah, GA. Can you spot my wife in the photo below?

2. The Refuge is a former World War II airfield. Just drive up and take a hike.

3. Much of the airfield is now covered by grasses.

4. Then we went "bushwacking" along the edges of the field. A lone leaf reaches out to greet us.

5. Palmfronds.

6. Incredibly, way inside the wilderness, we came upon a fountain, long since abandoned, complete with statute and pool, now filled with green algae.

7. The Refuge is a major stop for birds (and bird-spotting enthusiasts). Salt marsh, grasslands, wood and cropland afford a variety of habitats.

8. But in mid-February, we were virtually alone on the nearly 3,000 acre site.

9. Needless to say, with the sun shining, that was an wonderful afternoon to enjoy.

10. A flock of birds taking off.

11. And another in mid-flight.

12. Spanish moss hangs from the trees.

13. A view on a channel leading to the Atlantic Ocean.

14. A lightning-scarred tree truck still reaches up to the blue sky.

15. Change of scenery: Jacksonville, FL, at night. A series of massive bridges cross the St. Johns River.

16. The Jacksonville Landing "rocks."

17. Early morning sunlight hits downtown Jacksonville.

[The end.]