Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Thursday August 20, 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:  85 with a high of 91
Humidity:  80%
Wind Direction & Speed:  West at 2 - Help us!
Tide Stage:  Low at 11:30 AM and high at 5 PM
Moon Phase:  1st quarter - rise at 2:30 PM and sets at midnight
Water Conditions:  Bathtub like!

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I'm back on my dock at Pelican Landing and man is it still and hot this morning.  It's cooling off today and only going to be 92 instead of the 97 it was yesterday!  Lots of activity on the water this AM and I'm pretty sure there is a tarpon off the dock feeding on bait fish.  I saw its tail fin and it sure looked like tarpon to me!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Leave a Little Wild Around the Edges

If your property is anywhere near the Indian River Lagoon, a perfectly manicured landscape isn't necessarily the most lagoon-friendly one.

Native plants and vegetated buffers can help slow stormwater, trap nutrients before they reach the water, provide habitat for birds and pollinators, and generally require less fertilizer once established.

You don't have to turn your backyard into a jungle. Even a small strip of native vegetation can help.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for the lagoon is stop trying quite so hard to make Florida look like a golf course. 🌿🦋🌊

Wildlife & Nature

The water is churning with glass minnows and there is a tarpon off the dock crushing them at times.  I walked down here last night after work and saw a good sized snook sitting under the lights.  It reminded me of all the nights in Naples when I'd be down on the dock fishing.

Lots of birds around feeding - grouchy, turns, and three pelicans

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Today's spotlight is wonderfully straightforward: Keep Indian River Beautiful.

This local 501(c)(3) works to improve Indian River County's environment and quality of life through hands-on volunteer projects focused on litter removal, recycling and community beautification.

I like this organization because the connection between the work and the result is so immediate.

Pick up a discarded bottle along a roadway and it can't wash into a storm drain. Remove fishing line from a shoreline and it can't entangle a bird. Clean up a neighborhood and people tend to take a little more pride in keeping it clean.

And when we talk about protecting the Indian River Lagoon, this is an important piece of the puzzle. Not every environmental solution requires a laboratory, a multimillion-dollar restoration project or a new piece of legislation.

Sometimes it requires a pair of gloves and somebody willing to bend over and pick something up.

Indian River County also offers volunteer opportunities involving lagoon restoration, including oyster projects, while local environmental organizations regularly partner on cleanups, habitat restoration and other citizen-action projects.

💙 How You Can Help

Volunteer for a cleanup or beautification project, organize a group from your neighborhood or business, or simply make picking up litter part of your normal walk around the community.

It's difficult to imagine a simpler form of environmental stewardship:

See something that doesn't belong here. Pick it up. Leave the place a little better than you found it.

That's a pretty good philosophy for living anywhere, but especially beside a lagoon. 🌿🌊

Learn More

🌐 Keep Indian River Beautiful

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Ask What's Included Before You Fall in Love With It

That beautiful dining-room chandelier, garage refrigerator, wall-mounted television, patio furniture, or even the washer and dryer may not necessarily stay with the house.

When something matters to you, don't rely on assumptions. Make sure it's specifically addressed in the contract.

This is especially worth remembering when buying furnished or partially furnished Florida homes. "Furnished" can mean everything from turnkey right down to the wine glasses, to "we're leaving you three bar stools and a wicker table."

A five-minute conversation before the offer can prevent a very irritating surprise on closing day. 🏡🔑

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 Living Shoreline in Sebastian along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Wednesday August 19, 2026.  Sorry but todays video ends upside down.  I am not standing on my head.

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:  High of 97 today and darn hot right now too.
Humidity:  78%
Wind Direction & Speed:  2 from the West - NOT ENOUGH
Water Conditions:  Much clearer than at Pelican Landing.  Calm and flat!

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I'm back at the Living Shoreline since I don't have to work until later today.  Today we removed some invasive grasses but salvaged the nutsedge for now.  ORCA will let me know more later if we are to remove the sedge too.  Plus todays video came from this removal as that is how I found all the blood worms!

          Grass I removed                                                         Nutsedge I left...for now.

                                                                 THE WHOLE GANG ON INSTALL DAY

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Learn to Love the Mullet

They aren't dolphins, manatees or roseate spoonbills, so mullet don't get much glory around the Indian River Lagoon.

But watch the water long enough and you'll realize how much activity revolves around these fish. Schools of mullet move through the lagoon, predators follow them, birds watch them, and their spectacular leaps are part of the daily soundtrack of the waterfront.

When you see a bunch of mullet suddenly getting nervous at the surface, keep watching.

Something bigger may be underneath them.

Sometimes the lagoon tells you what's happening before you ever see the main character. 🐟🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Today's nature is dominated by Blood Worms!  Here's a bit of background on them and a still of the sand I found hundreds in.

Bloodworms are bright red, segmented marine or freshwater worms belonging to the phylum Annelida. The marine species (Glycera) are carnivorous and possess a venomous bite using four copper-based fangs. Anatomy: Soft-bodied, pinkish-red, and segmented. Their see-through skin shows their red fluid interior. Venom: Marine types have a proboscis with four jaws that inject venom to kill tiny sea animals. A human bite feels like a bee sting. Habitat: They live buried in wet mud and sand along coastal flats and estuaries.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Today's Do-Gooder is about as local as we can get.

H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue is located right here in Sebastian and operates with a wonderfully simple premise: every life counts.

H.A.L.O., which stands for Helping Animals Live and Overcome, provides a no-kill refuge for homeless animals and animals rescued from abuse and neglect. Since 2006, the organization says it has saved more than 20,000 animals.

And rescue doesn't end when an animal arrives at the shelter. Dogs and cats are given veterinary care and prepared for adoption, while a network of more than 140 foster families allows H.A.L.O. to care for animals that may need a quieter environment or additional attention before finding permanent homes.

They've also recently introduced a clever Foster-First Kitten Program. Instead of young kittens moving from foster care into the shelter before adoption, participating kittens can now be adopted directly from their foster homes, meaning some never need to spend a night in the shelter at all.

💙 How You Can Help

There are four wonderfully straightforward choices: adopt, foster, volunteer or donate. H.A.L.O. also operates Rescued Treasures, its thrift shop on US 1 in Sebastian, providing another way for the community to support its work.

I like H.A.L.O. for this series because our community isn't defined only by how we care for the lagoon.

It's also defined by how we care for the creatures that share our little corner of Florida. 🐾❤️

Learn More

🌐 H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Look Up Before You Buy

When touring a Florida home, buyers naturally look at floors, kitchens and bathrooms. Spend a minute looking at the ceilings, too.

Discoloration, bubbling paint, patched drywall or stains around vents can sometimes point to an old roof leak, plumbing issue or air-conditioning condensation problem. A stain doesn't automatically mean there's a current problem, but it deserves a question.

Also look inside closets and around window openings, where old moisture issues can be easier to spot.

Pretty countertops are nice. A dry house is 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

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Tuesday August 18, 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:  85 with a high of 95!

Humidity:  76%
Wind Direction & Speed:  West at 8
Tide Stage:  Low at 9:40 AM and High at 3 PM
Moon Phase:  First Quarter - Rise at 12:40 PM and set at 11:29 PM
Water Conditions:  Low and low visibility

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I'm getting some laundry done and doing some fishing on the lagoon at the same time.  I love the fact that this is possible in my life!  Lagoon lifstyle.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Remember That Your Storm Drain Leads Somewhere

That storm drain along the street isn't a magic disappearing hole.

Rainwater flowing across lawns, driveways and streets can carry fertilizer, grass clippings, pet waste, oil and litter toward canals, creeks and ultimately the Indian River Lagoon.

A few easy Lagoon Living habits make a difference: keep grass clippings out of the street, pick up after pets, minimize fertilizer and pesticides, and never dump anything into a storm drain.

Protecting the lagoon can begin several miles away from the water. 🌧️🌊

Wildlife & Nature

Today I saw 4 large mullet swimming within inches of the shoreline.  They have to be that shallow to be able to see them right now with the low water visibility.  In the air I see grouch the blue heron, the turns sitting on the water which is unusual, the mottled ducks flying by and I start the video with a pelican flying by.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Today's spotlight is wonderfully straightforward: Keep Indian River Beautiful.

This local 501(c)(3) works to improve Indian River County's environment and quality of life through hands-on volunteer projects focused on litter removal, recycling and community beautification.

I like this organization because the connection between the work and the result is so immediate.

Pick up a discarded bottle along a roadway and it can't wash into a storm drain. Remove fishing line from a shoreline and it can't entangle a bird. Clean up a neighborhood and people tend to take a little more pride in keeping it clean.

And when we talk about protecting the Indian River Lagoon, this is an important piece of the puzzle. Not every environmental solution requires a laboratory, a multimillion-dollar restoration project or a new piece of legislation.

Sometimes it requires a pair of gloves and somebody willing to bend over and pick something up.

Indian River County also offers volunteer opportunities involving lagoon restoration, including oyster projects, while local environmental organizations regularly partner on cleanups, habitat restoration and other citizen-action projects.

💙 How You Can Help

Volunteer for a cleanup or beautification project, organize a group from your neighborhood or business, or simply make picking up litter part of your normal walk around the community.

It's difficult to imagine a simpler form of environmental stewardship:

See something that doesn't belong here. Pick it up. Leave the place a little better than you found it.

That's a pretty good philosophy for living anywhere, but especially beside a lagoon. 🌿🌊

Learn More

🌐 Keep Indian River Beautiful

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Check Your Cell Signal Before You Buy

Here's one that's easy to overlook during a showing.

Before leaving a house you're seriously considering, make a phone call and check your cellular data in several rooms, the garage, and the backyard.

Coverage can vary dramatically from one neighborhood to another, and even from one side of a house to the other. If you work from home, also ask what internet providers serve the address and what speeds are actually available.

The gorgeous screened porch loses a little sparkle when you discover it's also a communications dead zone. 📱🏡

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 Wabasso Bridge along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Monday August 17, 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:  9AM
Air Temperature:  83 with a high of 92
Humidity:  78%
Wind Direction & Speed:  W at 5
Tide Stage:  Low at 9 AM and high at 2PM
Moon Phase:  First Quarter - rise at noon and set at 11 PM
Water Conditions:  calm and flat with decent clarity

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I'm heading to do some water quality sampling for ORCA and I went to the wrong location so I'll meet them in the lab later.  While I'm out though I stopped by the Environmental Learning Center for a bit and then went around the corner to film under the Wabasso Bridge.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Keep a Pair of Binoculars Near the Door

You don't need to be a serious birder to appreciate binoculars around the Indian River Lagoon.

A dark shape on a distant piling becomes an osprey finishing breakfast. A cluster of pink across the water becomes a group of roseate spoonbills. Something breaking the surface farther offshore might reveal itself as a dolphin instead of a mullet.

Keep an inexpensive pair somewhere handy rather than buried in a closet.

The lagoon rewards people who look twice. 🦅🐬

Wildlife & Nature

In my video today I give a good overview of the difference between red and black mangroves.  While filming I saw cormorants hanging on the bridge footers drying themselves.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: The Source

Today's spotlight takes us to The Source in Vero Beach, an organization that's been helping people experiencing homelessness and hardship in Indian River County since 1995. What began as a small outreach operation has grown into a comprehensive organization providing food, hygiene services, counseling, case management, employment programs and pathways toward housing and long-term stability.

One of their most interesting innovations is the Dignity Bus, a converted motor coach containing climate-controlled sleeping pods. The Source says it created the nation's first Dignity Bus, providing people experiencing homelessness with a secure place to sleep year-round while they work toward greater stability.

But this isn't simply about providing a meal and a bed.

The Source operates employment-focused programs including Community Works, Dining with Dignity, Dignity Hospitality and Dignity Jobs. Community Works, for example, provides paid opportunities for members to help clean and maintain public spaces around Indian River County while gaining work experience, income and confidence.

Since January 1, 2026, The Source has focused its services specifically on Indian River County residents as part of an ambitious effort to make homelessness here rare, brief and quickly addressed, rather than a long-term condition.

💙 How You Can Help

The Source accepts donations and community support, and you can also request a tour to see its programs firsthand.

I particularly like this organization for our Do-Gooder series because it illustrates something important about the place we call home. Lagoon Living isn't only about dolphins, fishing and beautiful sunrises.

A healthy community takes care of the people living along its shores, too.

Learn More

🌐 The Source

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Don't Forget to Check the Age of the Water Heater

Buyers usually ask about the roof and air conditioner, but the humble water heater tends to hide quietly in the garage until it decides to introduce itself.

Check its age, condition, location, and whether there's evidence of corrosion or previous leaking. A water heater isn't usually a deal breaker, but knowing that replacement may be approaching helps you budget realistically after closing.

In Florida real estate, the little mechanical things rarely get glamorous listing photos. They still get invoices. 🏡🔧

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 14, 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:  11:30 AM
Air Temperature:  87 - high of 89
Humidity:  73%
Wind Direction & Speed:  SW at 2 MPH - NOT ENOUGH!!!!!
Tide Stage:  High at noon and Low at 7PM
Moon Phase:  New.  Rise at 8:45 AM and set at 9:30 PM
Water Conditions:  Calm and flat.  Like a bathtub

Today's Lagoon Life:

No wind and the bugs are out.  Gnats and no-see-ums wont fly if you have a 5 MPH+ breeze but less than that and they are all over you!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Learn to Recognize a Bait Ball

Every once in a while, the lagoon suddenly seems to boil.

What you're often seeing is a school of small baitfish packed tightly together as larger predators feed beneath them. Then the birds notice. Pelicans start diving, terns arrive overhead, and sometimes dolphins join the commotion.

When you see it, stop what you're doing and watch.

You are witnessing the lagoon's food web in action, from tiny forage fish all the way up to some of its largest predators.

And if you happen to have a fishing rod nearby, well...the lagoon has just sent you a rather obvious memo. 🐟🐬🦅

Wildlife & Nature

I threw the cast net 5 times today and caught pinfish in 3 of the 5 casts.  It looks like pinfish provide some parental care as there are clearly parents and baby sized ones together in my net.  The other animal doing well this AM are gnats.  Yowsa!

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program

Today's Do-Gooder is a neat one because instead of tackling a single problem, Grand Harbor Community Outreach helps dozens of local organizations tackle theirs.

The Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) that has been supporting people in need throughout Indian River County since 2002. Its volunteers raise money and then carefully evaluate local nonprofits to determine where those dollars can make a meaningful difference.

And they've built quite a track record.

The organization reports distributing more than $7 million since 2002, working with more than 30 nonprofit partners. For its 2025-26 grant cycle alone, it awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to local organizations. Corporate sponsors cover its modest operating expenses, allowing 100% of tax-deductible donations to go to partner agencies.

What I especially like is how seriously the volunteers take the grant-making process. Teams review applications, visit organizations in person, examine community needs and then make funding recommendations. In other words, they're not simply writing checks. They're trying to understand where a dollar can do the most good in Indian River County.

💙 Why They Matter

Organizations like this create a multiplier effect.

One group may help feed a family. Another mentors a child. Another helps someone find housing. Another provides healthcare or services for seniors.

Grand Harbor Community Outreach helps strengthen all of those different pieces of the community at once by helping effective local nonprofits fund their work.

That's a wonderful reminder that being a community Do-Gooder doesn't always mean being the person on the front line. Sometimes it means making sure the people on the front line have what they need.

Learn More

🌐 Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Look at the Trees Before You Look at the Landscaping

A beautiful Florida yard can sell a house, but mature trees deserve a closer look.

Notice whether large limbs extend over the roof, whether roots are lifting driveways or sidewalks, and how close major trees are to the house, pool enclosure, or septic system. Also look for dead limbs and trees that appear unhealthy.

At the same time, don't automatically view mature trees as a liability. Well-placed shade can make an outdoor space dramatically more enjoyable in August and help reduce the afternoon heat hitting the house.

The question isn't simply, "Does this property have big trees?"

It's "Are these the right trees in the right places?" 🌳🏡

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 Pelicans Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Tuesday August 13, 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:  11 AM
Air Temperature:  83 with a high of 91
Humidity:  76% lower than yesterday
Wind Direction & Speed:  NW at 7 - unusual direction
Tide Stage:  High at 11 AM and low at 6 PM.
Moon Phase:  New - rise at 7:45 AM and set at 8:45 PM
Water Conditions:  Low and murky with a light ripple

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I watched an osprey pick apart some breakfast and have a brief conversation with another osprey.  There are some jet skis out on the lagoon today and 1 boat fishing but fairly quiet all in all.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Give Wildlife a Little More Room Than You Think It Needs

One of the joys of living around the Indian River Lagoon is how close we get to wildlife, but sometimes the best way to enjoy it is simply to stay put.

If a dolphin, manatee, wading bird or other animal appears nearby, resist the temptation to move closer. Watch quietly and let it decide how close the encounter becomes.

You'll often see more natural behavior that way, and some of the best lagoon moments happen when you aren't chasing them at all.

Binoculars are a wonderful invention. So is patience. 🐬🔭

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Do-Gooder: Friends of LaPorte Farms Inc.

Today's Do-Gooder is wonderfully close to home.

Friends of LaPorte Farms supports LaPorte Farms, a five-acre petting farm in Sebastian that was established by local resident Laura LaPorte in 1994. Its mission is to provide a safe place where people regardless of age or ability can interact with animals, enjoy nature and create lasting memories.

That "regardless of ability" part is worth noticing. The farm is handicap accessible, making an experience with animals and nature available to members of the community who may not always have easy access to outdoor recreational opportunities.

Visitors encounter the sort of animals many kids today rarely experience up close, and the farm has become one of those distinctly Sebastian places that doesn't need roller coasters or flashing signs to entertain anyone. Animals, dirt, fresh air and curiosity still work remarkably well. 🐐🐴🐓

💙 How You Can Help

Friends of LaPorte Farms welcomes volunteers, community partners and donations. Donations help support the farm and care for its animals, while volunteers can contribute directly to the organization's work.

I particularly like this one for the Dock Report because protecting our local lifestyle isn't only about protecting the lagoon. It's also about preserving small, unusual community places that give Sebastian its character.

Learn More

🌐 Friends of LaPorte Farms

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Don't Let an Older Florida Home Scare You

Age alone doesn't tell you whether a Florida home is a good buy.

An older home with a newer roof, updated electrical panel, modern plumbing, impact windows or shutters, and a well-maintained HVAC system can sometimes be a much smarter purchase than a newer home whose expensive systems are all approaching replacement age.

When comparing homes, ask about the effective age of the major components, not just the year the house was built.

A 1985 house may have a 2024 roof. A 2010 house may still have its original one.

The birthday on the tax record only tells part of the story.

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 August 12, 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:  87 - high of 93
Humidity:  82%
Wind Direction & Speed:  West at 4 MPH - HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tide Stage:  8 AM high and 2 PM low
Moon Phase:  New - rise at 6:30 AM and set at 8 PM
Water Conditions:  Much clearer here than down where I am.  Flat and calm.

Today's Lagoon Life:

I saw a manatee frolicking around a bit earlier which prompted me to get down to the lagoon.  No manatee in this video but a nice blue heron striding around in the water.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Pay Attention to the Inlet

If you live around Sebastian, start noticing what's happening at the inlet even on days you aren't going there.

The Sebastian Inlet is one of only five navigable connections between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean water moving through that relatively small opening influences salinity, currents, fishing and marine life in the surrounding lagoon.

Wind, tides and ocean conditions can make one day on the lagoon feel completely different from the next.

It's one of the fun parts of Lagoon Living: the water is never really the same water twice. 🌊

Wildlife & Nature

For the nature report today I'm showing the photos the winning boats swordfish from the bill fish tournament we hosted at Sebastian Saltwater this past weekend.  Congrats to the anglers who landed a 250 lb swordfish.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Community Steward: Sebastian Inlet District

Here's an organization many of us benefit from without necessarily knowing much about it.

The Sebastian Inlet District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1919, and its fundamental job is maintaining the navigable connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon.

But there's much more going on behind the scenes than keeping a channel open.

The District conducts dredging and sand-bypass projects, beach renourishment, erosion control, shoreline stabilization, navigation and public-safety work. It also works with marine scientists to monitor environmentally important habitats surrounding the inlet.

One fascinating piece of the story is the 42-acre underwater sand trap within the inlet. The District monitors sand accumulation there through a long-running research partnership with Florida Tech and conducts bathymetric surveys of the inlet system and backwaters.

It's a great reminder of how complicated our lagoon really is. That beautiful stretch of water at Sebastian Inlet is simultaneously a navigation channel, recreational playground, economic engine, wildlife habitat and ecological connection between an estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.

💙 Why It Matters

For those of us who boat, fish, surf, watch wildlife or simply enjoy living beside the Indian River Lagoon, much of the work that keeps Sebastian Inlet functioning happens quietly in the background.

And this is a slightly different kind of "Do-Gooder" for today's report. It isn't a charity. It's a local public stewardship organization, which gives us another category to mix into these spotlights alongside farms, nonprofits, foundations and volunteer groups.

Learn More

🌐 Sebastian Inlet District website

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Check the Orientation of the House

Before falling in love with the floor plan, pull out your phone's compass.

In Florida, the direction a house faces can make a surprisingly big difference in everyday life. A west-facing patio may get blasted by late-afternoon summer sun, while another orientation may provide shade right when you want to sit outside.

Think about where the sun rises, where it sets, which rooms receive afternoon heat, and when your outdoor living areas will be shaded.

On the Treasure Coast, the porch, lanai, pool and backyard can function almost like additional rooms of the house. Their orientation deserves nearly as much thought as the rooms inside.

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 Tuesday August 11, 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:  85 with a high of 91
Humidity:  82%
Wind Direction & Speed:  SW at 5
Tide Stage:  High at 9:30 AM and Low at 7:30 PM
Moon Phase:  New.  Rise at 5:30 AM and set at 7:30 PM
Water Conditions:  Low and cloudy with muck on the bottom

Today's Lagoon Life:

Today I was dive bombed by a Piliated Woodpecker on the way down t the dock.  Man those birds make a lot of noise.  I'm curious if the muck that seems to have shown up at Pelican Landing is similar to other areas on the lagoon.  Well, now I'm at the marina of Sebastian Saltwater and the water looks very similar here too.  I'm not sure why the clarity has dropped so much.  I also tried to tackle the invasive plants that are crowding out the sea grape and swamp lilly.  Man invasives grow fast!

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Look Down Around the Dock Pilings

We spend so much time looking across the Indian River Lagoon that it's easy to miss the miniature ecosystem directly underneath us.

Dock pilings can be covered with barnacles, oysters, algae, sponges and other organisms, while tiny fish and crabs use the structure for shelter. Those little communities attract larger fish, which attract birds and occasionally much larger visitors.

Next time you're standing on a dock, forget the horizon for a minute and look straight down.

There's an entire neighborhood underneath your feet. 🦀🐟🦪

Wildlife & Nature

Today was mostly bird watching as I didn't have time to go fishing.  I was hazed by a Piliated Woodpecker on the way to the dock.  From there I can still lots of baitfish just off the beach and pelicans in the area.  I filmed what I think is a green heron in todays video!

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Don't Judge a Florida Home by the Landscaping

When you're house hunting in Florida, an overgrown yard can actually be an opportunity.

Tropical and subtropical plants grow astonishingly fast here. A property that looks neglected may need pruning, cleanup, mulch, and a weekend of work rather than thousands of dollars in landscaping.

Instead, pay attention to the expensive things: drainage, mature shade trees, irrigation, grading, and where water goes during a heavy Florida thunderstorm.

You can transform an ugly flower bed. Fixing a yard that sends rainwater toward the house is a very different project.

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

Today I'm on Main street heading towards the conservation area but before I get there I give you a quick overview of the senior center and the Sebastian History Museum.  The museum is great but only open sparingly 3 days a week so check ahead before heading over.

Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon

Good morning from  Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon.  Today is Friday August 7, 2026.

Welcome to the WEEKEND 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:  81 and ONLY a high of 84!
Humidity:  88%
Wind Direction & Speed:  East at 8-10 - thank heavens
Tide Stage:  Low at noon and high at 6 PM
Moon Phase:  Last quarter - rise at 1 AM and set at 3 PM
Water Conditions:  Chop with the east breeze and cloudy.

Today's Lagoon Life:

A cool and comfortable morning on the lagoon with the east breeze.  Birds are flying about and I decided to plant a mangrove forest today.  These are all propagules from the red mangrove which are washing up on the beach so after seeing 1 planted last week develop flowers I decided to go hog wild!  It will be fun to visit over the years and see what happens.

Yesterday I was fascinated with and discussing Live Oaks which this is the end of their southern range.  Please don't cut down these majestic trees.  If you didn't your street could be like driving down this street.

Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:

Watch the Moon

The moon influences much more than the tides.

Around full and new moons you'll often notice:

• Stronger tidal movement
• Increased fish activity
• Different feeding patterns
• Beautiful moonrises over the lagoon

It's another reminder that life along the Indian River Lagoon follows rhythms much older than we are.

Wildlife & Nature

I did a bit of fishing but no luck.  The water is very turbid right now.  I did see lots of fun birds today.  The turns were back, a group of pelicans were cruising down the coast riding the breeze and even an Ibis flew in for a snack on beach hoppers.  Here's a green heron I saw yesterday at Jones Pier.

Today's Lagoon Spotlight

Ding Darling Wildlife Society

While based on Florida's Gulf Coast, the Ding Darling Wildlife Society has become a national leader in wildlife education and refuge conservation. Their work supports habitat restoration, environmental education, youth programs, and public appreciation for America's National Wildlife Refuge System—including the legacy that began with nearby Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Their efforts include:

• 🦅 Wildlife conservation
• 🎓 Environmental education
• 🧒 Youth nature programs
• 🌿 Habitat restoration
• 🤝 Volunteer engagement

Their message is simple: people protect what they understand and appreciate.

Learn More

https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org 

Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate

Waterfront Doesn't Always Mean Waterfront Taxes

Many buyers assume they must own directly on the water to enjoy the Treasure Coast lifestyle.

Some of the best values are homes that offer:

• 🚤 Community boat ramps
• 🚶 Walking distance to the lagoon
• 🛶 Nearby kayak launches
• 🎣 Public fishing piers
• 🌅 Waterfront parks

You can often enjoy 90% of the waterfront lifestyle for significantly less money.

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