Gallery II

 Award-winning city photographer Wes Lester has provided more of his favorite shots of Jacksonville. (Please click on the pictures to see a larger version.)

Sunrise over the intracoastal waterway presents a peaceful view from the newly opened Castaway Island Preserve.

The cruise ship Miracle from the Carnival Line glides under the Dames Point Bridge with only a few feet to spare. Jacksonville is expected to become one of the premier cruise ship ports in coming years.

Watch out for flying dogs when you make a trip to some of Jacksonville's parks. Working with Animal Care and Control, the Greater Jacksonville Disc and Dog Club support efforts to make our city a better place for our four-legged friends.

The Jacksonville Zoo offers a wide variety of unusual animals in their natural environments. This anteater has enthralled a young visitor peering through the glass.

Friendship Fountain at night is a spectacular sight, especially when set against the unmistakable Jacksonville skyline. The largest fountain of its kind when constructed in 1965, this city landmark attracts thousands of vistors each year.

Jacksonville parks offer nearly unlimited opportunities for bird watchers. These hummingbirds were feeding at Westside Regional Park.

Fun and games for kids of all ages can be found at parks and playgrounds throughout the city. This event took place at the unique Kids Kampus location in downtown Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the 'Great American Jazz Piano Competition' serve as reminders that Jacksonville's cultural offerings are the pride of city.

Jacksonville remembers those whose service meant so much to the city and the nation. Cindy Bennett has a touching moment in Hemming Plaza following the unveiling of the statue of her father, Congressman Charles E. Bennett, honored for his dedication to high ethical standards.

Before there was Hollywood, there was Jacksonville. In the opening decades of the 20th century, Jacksonville film studios produced hundreds of silent films. Capt. Richard 'Dick' Norman stands by some of the original Norman Studios equipment used by his father Richard Norman to produce classic films.