Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Dune Paths

    Recently, while walking through one of the Avalon beach paths, I spotted a side trail.

    Instant flash back to my childhood…when the high dunes were our backyard play area.  Full disclosure: this was before it was considered trespassing!

    My sisters and I had elaborate forts, and knew all of the hidden paths around the private homes.

    When it snowed, we rode the hills on plastic sleds or rafts (sounds pathetic, but it was fun)- returning home covered in a gross mixture of sand and snow!

    A happy, and unique memory from growing up on the island 🙂

    path

     

  • Christmas at the Beach

    AvalonChristmas

  • Beach Birds

    I’m on a mission with my beach walks…to spot the snowy owl.

    Ironically, today the owl was trumped by an eagle!

    From a distance, I saw a huge bird land on the beach near a few seagulls.  Too big for an osprey or a hawk.  As I approached, he took flight.

    A local fisherman recently told me about a bald eagle nesting on Ocean Drive between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood.  The fisherman was just leaving the beach this morning and saw the eagle, too.

    The bird took off and landed twice near the water’s edge.   The black dot in the middle of my picture REALLY is an eagle!

    Eagle

     

     

  • Treasure Hunting

    Conch shells, sea glass, and small plastic beach toys…beach treasures found after a storm!

    shells

  • Fascination with Weather

    Technology and social media create an over load of weather coverage.  And I’m a willing participant!

    My flooding pictures from Tuesday were widely circulated on Twitter and various news sites.  Even making it to The Daily Mail in London!

    In order to balance out the hype, I always follow up with “after” pictures (see my Twitter account for today’s report).

    Path

  • Stormy Shore

    Wind, waves, and water…oh, my!

    DecemberPathDecemberOceanDecemberPath2DecemberInlet

     

  • How’s the Beach?

    If you follow me on Twitter, you know I like to walk the beach.

    In the off season, I vary my route so that I cover all 7 miles of our beach front…one hour at a time.  This allows me to stay current on the beach conditions in Avalon and Stone Harbor; especially important after a storm.

    Update: beach access is temporarily restricted for a few blocks in the north end of Avalon due to erosion after recent storms.  In Stone Harbor, there are sections with moderate beach erosion (especially noticeable at high tide).  And yet other areas are wider than ever- recipients of that lost sand.

    Both communities are committed to maintaining our beautiful beaches.  Any winter storm damage will be addressed by spring- with safe beach access a priority.

    SHPointBeachSouthendBeach

     

     

     

  • Holiday Nights

    Downtown lights in Avalon, NJ

    AvalonDecember

  • December Sky

    After walking through a house not far from the beach, I detoured to catch this view!  32nd Street looking south, Avalon NJ.

    AvalonAfternoon

  • Monday Warm Up

    A nice start to December!

    MondayWarmth