Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Barefoot Bay along Florida's Indian River Lagoon in Micco FL.  Today is Monday September 10, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  10:30 AM
Air Temperature:  86 high of 88
Humidity:  73% - a little better
Wind Direction & Speed:  8 from the East
Tide Stage:  High at 10 AM and Low at 5 PM - Micco
Moon Phase:  New Moon
Water Conditions:  Rise at 6:30 AM and set at 7 PM

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I am exploring Barefoot Bay.  This morning I took a nice walk in a wooded area besides the lake where large Live Oak and slash pines grow together.  The first thing I stumbled upon is a huge slash pine with a massive bee hive in it.  See the video!

Then along the lake shore I caught some roseate spoonbills feeding.  One of the pictures you can even see a small fish in its mouth!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

If You Find Injured Wildlife, Don't Become the Veterinarian

Living around the Indian River Lagoon means eventually encountering an injured bird, orphaned animal or some other creature that clearly needs help.

Our instinct is often to scoop it up, feed it something and improvise.

That's usually not the best plan.

Wild animals have specialized diets and handling needs, and what looks abandoned may not actually be abandoned. A better first move is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and follow their instructions.

And now that the Dock Reports are originating from Barefoot Bay, there's an excellent resource just up US 1.

Which leads perfectly into today's spotlight. 🦉🌴

Wildlife & Nature

Along the lake shore I caught some roseate spoonbills feeding.  One of the pictures you can even see a small fish in its mouth!  See above pics

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Florida Wildlife Hospital

The Florida Wildlife Hospital in Palm Shores has been helping Florida wildlife since 1973, when Carlton and Gladys Teate began caring for sick and injured animals from their Melbourne home. The organization eventually grew from that volunteer operation into a dedicated wildlife rehabilitation hospital.

Today, the hospital treats more than 7,500 wildlife patients each year, representing more than 200 species. Its mission is straightforward: rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife whenever possible and return those animals to the wild.

There's another part of their work that I particularly like.

They point out that many of the animals arriving at the hospital are suffering from problems ultimately caused by people. So rehabilitation is only half the job. The hospital also teaches residents how to coexist with wildlife and reduce the human impacts that send animals there in the first place.

Their educational programs even use non-releasable ambassador animals, including birds of prey, reptiles and an opossum, to help teach children and adults about Florida wildlife and conservation.

💙 Why They Matter

This one feels particularly appropriate as the Dock Report settles into its new home in Barefoot Bay.

The Florida Wildlife Hospital is located in Palm Shores, only a little farther north along the same remarkable lagoon ecosystem we're now exploring from a new starting point.

And unlike many nonprofits, this is also an organization worth remembering before you need it.

They're open for wildlife intake 365 days a year, and their website currently lists daily hours of 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with after-hours drop-off available. The hospital receives no state or federal funding and does not charge for animal care.

So put this one in the mental Rolodex.

Someday the bird sitting strangely beside your driveway may turn today's Do-Gooder into tomorrow's very useful phone number.

Living alongside wild Florida occasionally means knowing when to admire it, when to leave it alone, and when to call somebody who knows how to put it back together. 🦉🐢🌿

Learn More

🌐 Florida Wildlife Hospital: https://floridawildlifehospital.org/

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Ask About the Electrical Panel, Not Just the Appliances

Buyers naturally notice the shiny things in a house: the new refrigerator, updated countertops, maybe that enormous television the seller has conveniently positioned for maximum seduction.

But in an older Florida home, I'd spend a little time looking at the electrical system behind the scenery.

Ask the inspector about the age and manufacturer of the electrical panel, the home's amperage, whether additions were properly wired, and whether there are signs of outdated or problematic components. If you're thinking about adding a hot tub, EV charger, workshop equipment or other electrical toys later, find out whether the existing service can comfortably handle them.

And in lightning-happy Florida, this is also a good time to ask about whole-house surge protection.

The prettiest upgrade in the house may be the one you'll never see.

Granite countertops photograph better. A healthy electrical system sleeps better. ⚡🏡

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from River Rocks in Rockledge along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Wednesday September 9, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  10 AM
Air Temperature:  83 - high of 87
Humidity:  80%
Wind Direction & Speed:  6 SE
Tide Stage:  High at 7 AM and Low at 1 PM at Patrick Air Force Base
Moon Phase:  Waxing Crescent.  Rise at 5:30 AM and set at 7 PM
Water Conditions:  Calm and moderate visibity

Today's Lagoon Life:

Back up to work at River Rocks today but after I get my morning work done I like to come out on our gazebo and take in some nature before the restaurant opens.  It's nice today with highs in the high 80s.  A bit sticky with humidity in the 80% range!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Your New Yard Can Become Part of the Lagoon

Here's another one inspired by the move to BB.

When you inherit a Florida yard, resist the temptation to immediately rip everything out and start landscaping. Spend a little time figuring out what is already growing there.

Native plants generally require less supplemental water and fertilizer once established, and they provide habitat and food for the insects, butterflies and birds that evolved alongside them. Reducing fertilizer and irrigation also means less nutrient-rich runoff eventually making its way toward the Indian River Lagoon.

There's something rather wonderful about this idea:

Your yard doesn't have to stop where nature begins. Your yard can be part of nature. 🌿🦋

Wildlife & Nature

Today I saw 3 dolphin in the lagoon feeding and I posted a video to my Zen page as I don't talk.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Find Out Who Owns the Land Beneath the Home

This one feels especially appropriate for the first full week of the Barefoot Bay chapter.

When looking at manufactured homes in Florida, don't assume every community has the same ownership structure. Some homes sit on leased land, while in others the homeowner owns the lot. That distinction can dramatically change the economics of the purchase.

Before comparing two seemingly similar homes, find out exactly what you're buying. Is the land included? Is there lot rent? Are there mandatory recreation or community assessments? What utilities or amenities are included? And how have those charges changed over time?

A $150,000 home with substantial monthly lot rent can be a very different financial animal from a $150,000 home where you own the dirt underneath it.

The price buys the house. The ownership structure tells you what it really costs to live there. 🏡🌴

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from the Barefoot Bay Pier along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Tuesday September 8, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  12:30 PM
Air Temperature:  85 high of 87
Humidity:  80% - lots of rain yesterday
Wind Direction & Speed:  4 from the NE
Tide Stage:  High at 8 AM and low at 3 PM
Moon Phase:  Waning crescent - Rise at 4 and set at 6 PM
Water Conditions:  Calm and it is deeper here than where I was but clarity is similar

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today is report 1 from Barefoot Bay.  I'm going to cover this place as a neighborhood and the nature I find as well.  Let's start with some good news today.

I'm sharing this article about the lagoon making a comeback!  READ HERE!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Give the Lagoon to the Next Generation

Here's a timely one.

This Saturday, September 12, students in grades 6 through 12 can attend the Indian River Lagoon Youth Action Assembly at the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach. It's free and brings young people together with experts to learn about problems facing the lagoon and develop their own plans for addressing them.

If you know a teenager who fishes, kayaks, surfs, loves wildlife, enjoys science, or simply cares about where they live, tell them about it.

We spend a lot of energy figuring out how to leave them a healthier lagoon.

It's probably wise to leave the lagoon some healthy young advocates, too. 🌊🌱

Wildlife & Nature

There was a blue heron and a pelican at the dock when I arrived and the video shows the big school of bait fish that I couldn't identify.  

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: United Way of Indian River County

Today's Do-Gooder is one of the organizations that quietly connects an enormous number of good things happening around Indian River County.

The United Way of Indian River County currently supports 46 locally funded programs through 34 partner agencies and invested more than $1.46 million in Indian River County during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The organization reports that its partner agencies helped one out of every four county residents last year.

Those numbers are impressive, but here's why I especially like featuring them today.

United Way's annual Day of Caring is coming up on Saturday, October 24, and volunteer registration is already open. Last year's event brought together more than 550 volunteers, who completed 51 projects and contributed more than 2,200 hours of work around Indian River County.

Projects can be wonderfully practical: painting, landscaping, organizing supplies, improving facilities and preparing spaces used by local nonprofits, schools, churches and community organizations. Volunteers can participate as individuals, families, businesses, school groups or civic organizations.

💙 How You Can Help

Volunteer registration for this year's Day of Caring remains open through October 16. The day begins with breakfast at Vero Beach High School's Citrus Bowl at 8 AM, and volunteers head to their projects at 9 AM.

I like this one because we've now featured a growing collection of wonderful local organizations in these reports.

United Way helps weave many of those separate threads into something bigger.

Sometimes doing good means finding one organization you care about. Sometimes it means getting 500 people out of bed on a Saturday morning and handing everybody a paintbrush. 🪜❤️

Learn More

🌐 United Way of Indian River County

🌐 2026 Day of Caring volunteer information

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

sk What the Seller Loves About the House

Inspections tell you what's wrong with a house. Sellers can sometimes tell you what's right about living there.

Ask your agent to find out what the sellers have enjoyed most about the home and neighborhood. Maybe it's the afternoon breeze on the porch, neighbors who actually know each other, a great walking route, watching launches from the backyard, or being five minutes from a favorite boat ramp.

Those things rarely appear on an inspection report or appraisal.

They're also often the things that eventually make a house feel like home.

Real estate has numbers. Living somewhere has stories. Pay attention to both. 🏡🌴

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Thursday September 3, 2026.  This will be the last report from Pelican Landing as I'm moving up the river 10 miles and will be reporting from Barefoot Bay for the next 3 months.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  9:30 AM
Air Temperature:  80 - high of 87
Humidity:  89%!!!!!!!!!
Wind Direction & Speed:  South at 3.  A sticky day for moving
Tide Stage:  Low at 10 AM and high at 3:30 PM
Moon Phase:  Last quarter - rise at midnight and set at 1:30 PM
Water Conditions:

Today's Lagoon Life:

It is still and sticky this morning as I film my last video from Pelican landing.  I'm hiding under the boathouse cover to try and not start sweating yet.  A few birds around but its quiet in general.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Make September a Cleanup Month

There's a timely opportunity coming up to turn a Saturday morning into something useful.

On Saturday, September 19, volunteers will spread out along the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County for a coastal cleanup organized by the GreenSpace Water Alliance. Their previous cleanup brought together 241 volunteers who removed 3,429 pounds of litter and debris from 25 miles of shoreline.

That's more than a ton and a half of stuff that doesn't belong beside our lagoon.

Even if you don't join an organized cleanup, steal the idea: take a bag on your next waterfront walk and pick up whatever shouldn't be there.

Lagoon restoration doesn't always require restoring something. Sometimes it just means removing something. 🧤🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Today was pretty quiet for my grand finale and all I have to report are osprey and pelicans but that's still nice.  It's a somber morning as I pack up and depart.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Operation Hope

We've spent a lot of time in Sebastian and Vero Beach with these spotlights, so today we're heading west to Fellsmere.

Operation Hope was founded there in 1997 by Jesse Zermeño after he saw the difficult living conditions faced by migrant farmworkers and their families. The organization collects food, clothing and household necessities and distributes them to families in need.

I particularly like featuring this group because agriculture is such an important but sometimes invisible part of the Indian River Lagoon region.

Drive west from the waterfront and the landscape changes remarkably quickly. The condos, marinas and restaurants give way to citrus country, farms, ranchland and communities whose history is tied closely to agriculture.

And behind that agriculture are people.

Operation Hope exists specifically to help some of the families whose labor has been part of that agricultural economy. Its work is wonderfully uncomplicated: when a family needs food, clothing or basic household necessities, try to help provide them.

💙 How You Can Help

Operation Hope accepts donations and volunteer support from the community. It's located at 12285 County Road 512 in Fellsmere, making this another organization doing its work right here in northern Indian River County.

I like this one for the Dock Report because it widens our lens a little.

The Indian River Lagoon community isn't only the strip of land we can see from the dock. It stretches west into farms, small towns and agricultural communities that are every bit as much a part of this corner of Florida.

Taking care of the lagoon means understanding the whole watershed. Taking care of our community means remembering all the people who live in it. 🌱❤️🌊

Learn More

🌐 Operation Hope

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Ask Where the Water Shutoff Is

Here's a question almost nobody asks while buying a house:

Where is the main water shutoff?

Find it before closing, make sure it's accessible, and learn how to operate it. While you're at it, locate the electrical panel and any shutoffs for irrigation, propane or a pool system.

When a washing-machine hose or plumbing connection decides to surrender at 10:30 on a Saturday night, that is not the ideal moment to begin an archaeological expedition through the landscaping.

Knowing how to shut down the basic systems in your house is part of owning it.

Five minutes of orientation can prevent thousands of dollars of damage. 🔧🏡

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Friday August 28, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  11AM
Air Temperature:  88 high of 90
Humidity:  76%
Wind Direction & Speed:  South at 5 MPH
Tide Stage:  High at 11AM and Low at 6PM
Moon Phase:  Full - rise at 8 PM and set at 7 AM
Water Conditions:  flat and fairly low and turbid

Today's Lagoon Life:

Recovering from the storm we had yesterday afternoon.  Holy mackerel. Winds at 60 MPH and lightning and thunder that were rattling my residence!  Then a nice evening once it all blew through for the full moon!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Don't Overlook the Lagoon's Freshwater Neighbors

The Indian River Lagoon gets most of the attention, but some wonderful pieces of wild Florida sit just inland.

Creeks, marshes, ponds, wetlands and the upper reaches of the St. Sebastian River support alligators, otters, turtles, wading birds and an entirely different collection of plants and animals.

Spend an occasional morning exploring inland instead of heading toward the water.

One of the pleasures of living around Sebastian is that you can experience coastal Florida and old inland Florida before lunch. 🐊🌾🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Today I saw a solo dolphin cruising up the river near the spoil islands.  Once the mullet run they will get more plentiful.  Two cormorants were out fishing in a similar area as well.  A few pelicans and the lest turns are busy too.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County

Today's spotlight is especially local because this organization has clubhouses in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County serves nearly 1,000 local children each year through after-school and summer programs. Its mission is to help young people, particularly those who need additional support, develop into productive, responsible and caring adults.

Kids aren't simply given somewhere to wait until their parents get off work. Club members receive homework help and educational programming, spend time outdoors, work with technology and participate in activities designed to build skills and confidence.

And I particularly like the geography of this organization.

Having locations in Vero Beach is important, but maintaining clubhouses in Sebastian and Fellsmere means programs are available to children across very different parts of Indian River County. The Sebastian clubhouse is on Friendship Lane, while the Fellsmere club is on South Cypress Street.

💙 How You Can Help

The organization welcomes volunteers for classroom and program support, and donations help fund its year-round youth programs.

There's a nice connection to our Lagoon Living series here, too.

We spend plenty of time talking about preserving what makes this part of Florida special for the next generation.

It's equally important to invest in the next generation itself.

Healthy water. Healthy communities. Kids with opportunities.

They're all pieces of the same place we call home. 🌊❤️

Learn More

🌐 Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Open the Cabinets Under the Sinks

Here's a 30-second habit that's worth developing when you tour a house.

Open the cabinets beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks and actually look inside. Check for staining, warped wood, corrosion around plumbing connections, musty odors or evidence that something has been recently patched or painted.

None of those automatically means there's a serious problem, but they can tell you where an inspector should take a closer look.

In Florida, moisture has a remarkable talent for finding places where nobody thought to look.

So look. 🔎🏡

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Thursday August 27, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  10 AM
Air Temperature:  83 with a high of 89
Humidity:  85%
Wind Direction & Speed:  South at 5 MPH
Tide Stage:  High at 10 AM and Low at 5 PM
Moon Phase:  Full with an eclipse tonight!  Rise at 7:30 PM and Set at 6:20 AM
Water Conditions:  Light ripple and fair visibility

Today's Lagoon Life:

Lots of rain and lightening over the past few days.  As I write this it is pouring in the early afternoon.  This morning it was quite comfortable even with the high humidity.  I am supposed to play tennis later today but with all this rain that might be in jeopardy.

A full moon tonight with a lunar eclipse!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Turn an Ordinary Friday Morning Into Lagoon Restoration

Here's a wonderfully practical Lagoon Living opportunity coming up.

Indian River County's Natural Resources team is holding its next First Friday Oyster Mat Building Event on September 4 from 9 AM to noon at Round Island Riverside Park in Vero Beach. Volunteers help create oyster-restoration materials that will eventually become habitat in the Indian River Lagoon.

That's one of the things I love about living here. You don't have to be a scientist or write a giant check to participate in restoring the lagoon.

Sometimes you can simply show up on a Friday morning and build something oysters will move into. 🦪🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Three pelicans sitting on the dock posts as I scouted around.  I also threw the cast net 5 times and caught pinfish in 2 of the 5 casts.  More uniform in size than I was catching a few weeks ago.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

🌿 Indian River Lagoon Insight of the Day

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Samaritan Center

Today's Do-Gooder works in that difficult space between having nowhere to live and being ready to live independently again.

The Samaritan Center provides transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness in Indian River County. Families generally stay for six to nine months, receiving safe housing, case management, education and connections to community resources while working toward independence.

What caught my attention is that this isn't simply temporary shelter.

Residents who are able to work are expected to obtain employment, open a bank account and, under the program's financial-stability agreement, save 75% of their earnings. Families also receive education in budgeting, parenting, health and safety, conflict resolution and household management.

The program has been around since 1992 and has helped more than 2,000 people. Its facility can house nine families at a time, with private family bedrooms and shared living, kitchen, laundry and children's spaces.

And there's evidence that the approach works. Samaritan Center reports that 90% of clients completing the higher levels of its program are still living independently six months after leaving.

💙 How You Can Help

The Samaritan Center welcomes volunteers and community support, and its work is backed by an impressive collection of local foundations and organizations. In March, Grand Harbor Community Outreach awarded it another $20,000 grant specifically to support homeless families working toward self-sufficiency.

I like this organization for our series because housing means something very different depending on where you're standing.

For one person, we're talking about waterfront views and whether the kitchen needs updating.

For another family, having a safe bedroom tonight may be the first step toward rebuilding an entire life.

Both are part of the real estate story of a community.

Learn More

🌐 Samaritan Center

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Find Out What Your View Can Become

A beautiful view can make buyers fall in love with a property, but before paying a premium for it, ask an important question:

Do I own the view, or do I just enjoy it right now?

Look at neighboring vacant lots, zoning, vegetation you don't control, and property between the home and whatever you're admiring. A glimpse of the lagoon through an empty lot is very different from protected waterfront.

The same applies to golf courses, preserves and open land. Find out who owns what you're looking at and what could legally happen there.

Buy the house that's there today. Just understand what might be outside the window tomorrow. 🌴🏡

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Rockledge along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Wednesday August 26, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  10AM
Air Temperature:  85 - high of 89
Humidity:  75%
Wind Direction & Speed:  East at 8 MPH
Tide Stage:  High at 7 AM and Low at 1 PM
Moon Phase:  Waxing Gibbous - rise at 7 PM and set at 5:30 AM
Water Conditions:  Calm and relatively clear

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I'm back on my stretch of the coast and working at RiverRocks.  I love the changing views I get of the river.  It has cooled off a bit and with some light clouds this AM its not too bad, yet.  We've also had a lot of rain up here and the restaurant was hit by lightening on Saturday and forced us to close before dinner that night.

Here's a pretty video I shot last night of the lightning as it moved way offshore!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Watch What Happens Right After the Rain

A summer thunderstorm can completely change the Indian River Lagoon for a little while.

Freshwater enters through canals and creeks, runoff moves through the watershed, water temperatures shift, and birds and fish may change where they're feeding.

After the storm passes, take a look at the water around drainage canals and tributaries. You'll begin to see just how connected our streets, yards and neighborhoods are to the lagoon.

It's one of the best visual reminders that the Indian River Lagoon watershed is much bigger than the shoreline. 🌧️🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Today was mostly bird life with a group of Royal Turns congregating on the dock.  They hung out all day with us and I've never seen them here before.

I also spotted a huge group of catfish along the dock.  There is an old fish feeder machine on the dock that I've never seen have food but when I stopped and turned the wheel as if it would dispense food all these catfish showed up.  Did they hear it?  Do they remember a time it did have food?  Wild!

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Safe Families for Children – Treasure Coast

Today's Do-Gooder is doing something especially interesting: helping families before a crisis becomes a catastrophe.

Safe Families for Children – Treasure Coast serves Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties by surrounding parents experiencing difficult circumstances with a network of volunteers that functions a little like an extended family.

Imagine a single parent suddenly hospitalized, a family facing homelessness, or someone without grandparents, siblings or close friends nearby to call for help.

Safe Families tries to fill that gap.

Trained and screened volunteers can serve as Host Families, Family Friends, Family Coaches and Resource Friends. In some situations, parents voluntarily arrange for their children to stay temporarily with a Host Family while they work through the immediate crisis. The goal is to keep children safe, strengthen the family and, where appropriate, prevent children from entering the foster-care system.

And there's a particularly timely reason to feature them now. Safe Families Treasure Coast was selected as one of Impact 100 Indian River's five $100,000 grant recipients for 2026, with funding supporting bilingual community partnership and volunteer coordination.

💙 How You Can Help

You don't necessarily have to open your home to participate.

Volunteers can become family friends or coaches, provide practical resources, support events, or connect the organization with churches, businesses and other community partners. Donations are another way to support its work.

I like the idea behind this organization enormously.

Sometimes a family doesn't need to be rescued.

They just need somebody to show up while life is temporarily falling apart.

That's community in its most useful form. ❤️🏡

Learn More

🌐 Safe Families for Children – Treasure Coast

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Don't Forget to Ask About Permits

That gorgeous enclosed porch, remodeled bathroom, new electrical panel or converted garage may look terrific, but before buying, it's worth asking a simple question:

Was the work permitted when a permit was required?

Unpermitted improvements can create headaches later with insurance, appraisals, future renovations and eventually resale. This can be particularly important in Florida when improvements involve roofs, windows, electrical systems or structural changes.

A beautiful renovation is nice.

A beautiful renovation with the paperwork to back it up is even nicer. 🏡📋

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate

Well I'm still on the road today and I wound up close to where I was yesterday except now I'm at the Kissimmee River which is the primary water input into Lake Okeechobee.

This park is closed in conjunction with the restoration of the Kissimmee River. In the 1960s the US Army Corps of Engineers straightened the 103 mile long river into a straight 56 mile drainage ditch knows as C-38. Starting in the late 1990s this process has being being undone! Thousands of acres of land have been acquired, damns taken down and floodplain reestablished!

If you are in the area stop at the Okeechobee Fish Company. Local catfish and lots of delicious seafood plus gator and frog legs!

The Okee-Tantie Marina where I stopped.      A dead threadfin armored catfish.  Yikes!

Lunch is served at a local Okeechobee meat and 3. I got catfish fingers, fried okra and green beans!

Today and tomorrow I'm skipping the usual format as I'm on the road to Naples for some family dental work.  My cousins are both dentists in Naples and my aunt and uncle have a bed and dinner for me.  No brainer!

I hit Lake Okeechobee on the way and I ended my day with my toes in the Gulf of Mexico.  Ahhhh.  Naples is the root of my inner Floridian even though it looks a lot different than it did 50 years ago when I first started going there!

Lake Okeechobee                                                    A willet in the Gulf

Plenty of cormorants hanging out on pilings in the Gult at 3rd street beach.

This is why I keep a fishing pole in my car.  Pond large mouth bass in Naples.

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Friday August 21, 2026.

Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.

Lagoon Conditions

Time:  10 AM
Air Temperature:  83 - high of 90
Humidity:  79%
Wind Direction & Speed:  SW at 3 - Not enough.
Tide Stage:  Low at 11:30 AM and High at 6 PM
Moon Phase:  1st quarter - High at 3:30 PM and Low at 1 AM.
Water Conditions:  Calm and flat with low visibility

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I took a walk over to the 2 story dock to check on my mangrove propagules and they are doing just fine.

Even more exciting is the beach lily I have been saving from the Brazilian Pepper Trees has flowered.  It is pollinated by hawk moths at night!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Think About What Leaves Your Yard

One of the most important Indian River Lagoon habitats may be your own backyard.

Anything washed from a yard during heavy rain can potentially become part of the lagoon watershed. That makes simple choices important: use fertilizer sparingly, keep grass clippings off pavement, plant natives where practical, and allow vegetation to slow rainwater before it races toward a storm drain.

Indian River County's Lagoon Division specifically identifies reducing nutrient pollution and restoring habitat as central pieces of its Lagoon Management Plan.

The lagoon doesn't really begin at the shoreline.

It begins wherever the rain falls. 🌱🌧️🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Besides the awesome plants today I saw a yellow crowned night heron and was super excited to find a clam.  Even though it is dead I was encouraged to find a clam that clearly had been living in the IRL.  I also saw a solo sanderling running on the beach which is uncommon.  They are the little bords that run up and back with each wave on the beach like they are afraid to get wet.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Sebastian Clambake Foundation

This one feels particularly appropriate for our series because it combines the lagoon, seafood, Sebastian and helping our neighbors.

The Sebastian Clambake Foundation was created in 2002 and organizes the Sebastian Clambake, which it describes rather perfectly as a "Lagoon Festival." The annual celebration grew from the community's connection to the Indian River Lagoon and uses that celebration to raise money for local nonprofit organizations and community projects.

And those clam chowders and seafood dinners have added up.

The foundation reports that it has now awarded more than $1 million to local charities. Proceeds from the festival support regional nonprofit programs as well as nonprofit capital-improvement projects.

I especially like the philosophy behind this organization.

A community festival doesn't have to be only entertainment. Get thousands of people together to eat seafood, listen to music and celebrate where they live, then funnel the proceeds back into organizations serving that same community.

That's a pretty elegant circle.

💙 Why They Matter

The Indian River Lagoon has shaped Sebastian for generations. It provided food and transportation long before it became the backdrop for waterfront restaurants, fishing tournaments, festivals and million-dollar homes.

The Clambake celebrates that heritage while turning some of the fun into tangible help for local organizations.

Eat some clams. Celebrate the lagoon. Help your neighbors.

Sebastian has come up with worse ideas. 🦪🌊❤️

Learn More

🌐 Sebastian Clambake Foundation

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Pay Attention to the Neighborhood's Elevation, Not Just the Flood Zone

A flood-zone designation is important, but when you're looking at a Florida property, also pay attention to the land immediately around the house.

Is the house slightly higher than the street? Does the driveway slope toward or away from the garage? Are neighboring lots higher? Where does water appear likely to go during one of our two-inch-in-an-hour summer downpours?

Two homes a few streets apart can behave very differently during heavy rain.

A survey and professional inspections matter, of course, but buyers can learn quite a bit simply by looking at the way the land moves water.

Florida is remarkably flat. A few inches can sometimes matter. 🌧️🏡

Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?

Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.

If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.

Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.

Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty

Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon

ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate