Local Focus - 6-18-2009: Alpine Groves

Took off of work on this steamy Florida overcast, rumbly day to relax and test a new lens out before engaging in some serious photography this weekend. Ten miles south on State Route 13, along the banks of the Saint Johns River in Switzerland Florida (originally settled by Swiss farmers, if you don't count the Timacua -- imagine that), sits Alpine Groves Park.

Alpine groves is the historical remnants of a formerly working north Florida citrus farm, where oranges and lemons were raised. The old farm -- the remaining structures, including a beautifully restored grove house, were constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century -- sits on a high bluff above the river. At low tide the pilings of the old wharf are visible above the brown water of the north-flowing Saint Johns. You can easily imagine horse drawn carts at the wharf and crates of orange and yellow citrus being loaded onto boats for the trip up to Mayport, and from there to the great ports of the east coast...

The upper window in this hundred year old barn was made of panes of blue, green and red stained glass. Only in the last six months have the local knuckleheads shattered the last of them. Part of the yin and yang of turning a piece of history into a publicly accessible space. I've never understood the lure of vandalism -- some psychologist once told me it provides a false sense of control to the transgressor. Power to the idiots of the world...

Rising from the bluff, and eventually toppling from the bluff as it is worn down by the slow but steady effort of the river, live oak and cypress trees provide perches for egrets and osprey. It's a great spot to watch them, and the occasional anhinga search for food below. We've often seen manatee gather and play within a few hundred feet of the shore here. A favorite spot of our to walk, shoot, meditate and relax...