We have fine, pale sand along our coast, but it isn't this pure white... This is still a significant accumulation of snow on the dune crossover. The beach itself was clear of snow; the water is, relatively speaking, warm and there have been quite high tides (due to weather and moon phase) that have washed the beach to the base of the dunes (rather nice ones in this part of town, I might add).
But the dunes themselves still held on to the cold white stuff.
The recent snow has transformed the landscape all around, and no less so the marshes here in Cape May County. Given that we are at sea level pretty much everywhere (except for highway overpasses), I knew that trying for a photo taken from a height of five feet or so wouldn’t do the scenery justice. So on my way back from the beach I stopped at an old place of employment, said hello to the volunteer at the door, and raced up the center's observation tower. I’d forgotten in the past ten years how much I dislike the spiral staircase, and how breezy it could be four or so stories up, but the view was certainly worth it, even if most of the snow was gone and the waterways were open. Panning roughly east to west:
For more information on the open-to-the-public nature center with the great view, please visit The Wetlands Institute. These photos are dedicated to JZ and BOTB; the Institute's tower was the inspiration for their own marvel, which you can read about here: Julie and Bill's Tower.
