Congrats, Bradenton.com, for best day yet

An online drum roll, please....

Congratulations to the Bradenton Herald/Bradenton.com staff for the best day ever for online traffic! On Monday, Bradenton.com recorded the highest single-day total page views in the site's documented history.

What led the way? Tiffany Tompkins-Condie's two fabulous photo galleries: the DeSoto Parade and the Spotlight on Manatee's Jail Farm. We also had a lot of breaking news yesterday that drew a lot of viewers, including another slaying in the wee hours.

But the two galleries trumped everything else. Each contains almost 50 photos, both of which took hours. The parade gallery was on deadline (which addresses a couple complaining comments on some repeated cutlines), and the farm gallery was a shared project with reporter Laura Morel for our ongoing examination of the jail's operation.

The favorite photo seems to be one of those we chose for the 1A print centerpiece Monday morning. Not a bad way to start the week!

Bradenton.com viewers set another record

We've had record traffic on Bradenton.com since news broke that Osama bin Laden had been killed. That is yet another telling indication of the historic nature of this event: It is rare that international news drives our site, where local news and local photo galleries almost always top the most-viewed list.

That actually still held true, creating quite a dichotomy of top stories and galleries. The most popular throughout the weekend and into the work week? The DeSoto Grand Parade photo gallery.

By Tuesday, however, topping the list were photos from Osama's hideout in Pakistan and McClatchy Washington reporter Jonathon Landay's story of how the Navy SEALS slid down ropes from their hovering helicopters and pulled off the raid on bin Laden's compound.

Our Manatee Beaches -- a lasting tribute

This e-mailer sent words to live by this morning:

Dear Mr. or Ms Jefferies,

I have never written before but felt compelled to write you regarding the photos in today's Bradenton.com website. I moved to Bradenton 11 years ago. I always thought that if I moved close to a beach that I would visit that beach as often as possible. Alas, due to work, family, etc., I find myself lacking in "me" time. After viewing your beautiful photos of Holmes Beach, I will be visiting the beach more often!

Thank you for the excellent photography!! I wish you much success in your career!

Sincerely,

Hazel F. Griggs

This week marks the final gallery entry to "Our Manatee Beaches", Bradenton.com's special summer project that was spurred by the fear of oil on our beaches. The pages and galleries have been extremely popular with our viewers -- we set new daily records for online visitors with each one.

As Ms. Griggs recognized, photojournalist Grant Jefferies took ownership of this project, producing stunning galleries for the past three months. As a result, "Our Manatee Beaches" provides beautiful insight into Manatee County's natural resources. We plan to keep these live for plenty of viewing in the future. Thanks to all of you who added photos, viewed Grant's work, and sent them to friends via e-mail and Facebook.

-- Joan