Fun On The Causeway - Watching the Indy 500 In Style

Sanibel, FL (88 degrees, blue skies, breezy)

We are originally from Indianapolis and loved going to see the Indy 500 (the greatest spectacle in racing) for many years.  Being far from home we still wanted to see some of the action on TV.  Our motorhome  has been parked for over a month and it was time to fire up the diesel and give it a little exercise.  So, we decided to drive it out to the causeway bridge which links Ft. Myers to Sanibel.  There is a nice beach on both sides and it is so easy to drive up and be right along the water.  

We invited the interns and a few staff members from J.N. Ding Darling NWR and SCCF to join us for the day.  These hard working young adults have been fun to work with and it was great to spend some time relaxing at the beach.  Some of their duties include studying the Snowy Plover, leading education programs in local schools and at the refuge, assisting with fund raising, and staffing the Education Center.  SCCF (Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation) is also a  non profit organization dedicated to preserving natural resources and wildlife in Sanibel and Captiva  They conduct a lot of research and do some wonderful work with sea turtles.  

Some of the interns are currently in college and here for the summer and others are awaiting admittance into graduate programs.  The interns live in mobile homes located in the same area as our RV site and  usually stay here for 3-6 months.   

Everyone brought something to share and of coarse some cold beverages.  We had a great time including Jimmy.

One of the staff members in maintenance who works with John brought his boat.  He took us all out for a trip around the causeway.  It was cool to see the bridge from the water.   Good thing we arrived early. The beach was packed.

The causeway bridge spans three miles and is managed by Lee County.  The original draw bridge was built in 1963.   Prior to this time the only way to access Sanibel was by ferry or your own boat.  In 2003, due to hurricane damage, the current two lane high span bridge was constructed.  There is a $6.00 toll collected from the Ft. Myer side.  

Tony Kanaan won the Indianapolis 500.  He is a great driver and has come very close to winning it several times.  He finally did!

Most of all we wish to thank all who have served or are serving our country. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Enjoying our time in Sanibel

Sanibel, FL (92 degrees, HOT, slightly humid)

This fun sign is posted at the Chamber of Commence (visitor center) in Sanibel.  No snow in sight around here and in fact it starting to heat up.  We have been volunteering at J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge for about a month and are loving it here.  What's not to love... 

WHITE SANDY BEACHES

Carol & Carol (aka Squared)

John enjoying an evening stroll

SPECTACULAR SUNSETS

PRETTY SEASHELLS

Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum

Sailors Valentine

ABUNDANT WILDLIFE

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Reddish Egret

Muddled Duck

Scarlet Tanager

Black-bellied Plover

Northern Waterthrush

Gopher Tortoise

Dolphin at play

Killdeer and her baby

FUN KAYAKING

AND....MY PERSONAL FAVORITE "those lovin Spoonbills"  

There is lots of love about Sanibel and we are enjoying it to the fullest.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Better yet, why not come visit us.  

Those Lovin' Spoonbills

Sanibel, Florida (78 degrees, humid, blue skies)

Do you believe in magic...well come along with me and check out these Roseate Spoonbills

Early this morning along the Wildlife Drive in J.N. Ding Darling NWR thirty nine of these pink beauties were hanging out on the mud flats.  John had left early in the morning on his bike to see if anything was happening during low tide.  I was still in bed when he called me and said "hurry, get up and come see".  Living in the refuge sure has it's privileges.  A few minutes later I was there with a few other folks checking out all the beauty.  

Spoonbills are year round residents at Ding Darling but lately we have only seen a few out on the mud flats.  This morning was an exceptional day.  

They were busy eating sweeping their large bills side to side detecting small fish by a sense of touch rather than by sight.  Their pink color deepens over time.  The younger or immature birds are paler in color with a yellow bill as opposed to an adult with a grey bill.  

Spoonbills are a large bird with a wingspan of 47-52 inches.  One by one around 9 a.m. they started to fly off into the distance.  The photographers were snapping pictures at a rapid pace.  I stayed until all of them had flown off.  What a wonderful way to start the morning.  Thanks for coming along with me. 

What Makes Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary So Special?

Naples, FL (86 degrees, hot, humid)

Slash Pines and Saw Palmetto

Corkscrew Scamp  Sanctuary is a pristine oasis covering 13,000 acres.  In it's midst is the largest remaining strand of old growth cypress.  A 2.25 mile boardwalk loop trail goes right through the heart of the forest.  This probably sounds like a commercial, but we were entranced by this beautiful place. At the visitor center we met up with a guide (volunteer docent) and he led us down the boardwalk  which started off with slash pines and then entered into the wet prairie.  We eventually circled the lettuce lakes (marsh) where the alligators hang out and spent most of our time in the old growth cypress trees looking up and up into the sky.   

Wet prairie

Lichen (look a lot like Spanish Moss

The Cypress trees were so impressive and many were draped with mosses, lichens, and beautiful bromeliads or air ferns.  Some of the trees are over 500 years old  and tower 130 feet into the sky.  

Tall stately Cypress

Strangler fig

We were here to see the birds and saw a few.  Added to our list was the sweet singing Carolina Wren and a pretty American Redstart.  Our pictures did not come out very clear.  Trying to catch these little song birds as they flit around can be a challenge.  This huge hawk was much easier to capture.  

Red-shouldered Hawk

Arrowhead

A curious lizard was entertaining the boardwalk crowd.  He is sometimes called an American chameleon because he can change color from brown to bright green.

Green Anole

The lettuce lakes are where the alligators hang out.  At one time hundreds of wood storks would build their nests here too.  However, there has been several years of  drought and the birds instinctively know there is not enough food to sustain them.  

Proud Papa

Mama watching over her babies

Buttonwood Flower

Our volunteer guide, Paul (on right), was excellent.  He had a great sense of humor and was very knowledgeable   He is very dedicated and his love of the sanctuary is very evident.  Call before visiting to find out when a guided tour is available.  

The visitor center also has an  exhibit called the Guardians of the Everglades.  It features large beautifully displayed paintings by Nicholas Petrucci featuring advocates and pioneers who have been leaders in rescuing the wilderness from development.  It is set within a recreated dark cypress forest. The exhibit is very moving and the paintings are spectacular. 

Jack and Sam

Afterwards we stopped briefly at the Lovers Key State Park.  It's a small park with two beaches.  There were lots of shells and a tram to take you down to the beach.  It sure would be helpful if you were carrying lots of chairs, coolers, and food down to the beach.  It was getting ready to storm so we'll return for another visit soon.  

Lovers Key Beach

Thanks for stopping by today and taking a "peek"   at what we are doing.  See you later.