Royal Poinciana

In spectacular bloom now are the Royal Poinciana trees. Their bright orange blooms emerge in early May and continue through mid June. They are not as popular as other tropical trees in Florida because they are barren of foliage during the “in season.” But year round residents have the pleasure of their beauty. Photos were taken at Cabbage Key, about 15 miles north of Sanibel and accessible by boat.

Turtles and Manatees … wildlife on and near Sanibel

Last Saturday was World Turtle Day, a fact I missed until my wife told me. Island Turtle doesn’t miss much, but he sure did on that one.

But it wasn’t lost on the real turtles on Sanibel and nearby Cabbage Key. They were out in profusion. The first was a lake turtle crossing the road near Gramma Dot’s restaurant on Sanibel. The next day we took my daughter and the grandkids to Cabbage Key and ran into 3 gopher tortoises within 20 yards of the restaurant. Now it probably wasn’t just Turtle Day that got them moving, it’s (to put it nicely) socializing season, where boy turtle meets girl turtle.

Seems the spirit of the times has spread to the manatee population too. Enjoy the photos, especially the manatees cuddling.

Cayo Costa birds

Cayo Costa is an undeveloped large barrier island just north of Upper Captiva. Accessible only by boat, it is a haven for bird life and a sheller’s delight. Plant life is the same as it was 500 years ago. The northern half of the island is a state park, with rudimentary cabins and tent sites. There are no restaurant facilities. Park rangers operate a truck drawn tram to carry visitors the one mile trip from the dock to the beach for a small fee. Because its remoteness, crowds are small and shells largely untouched.

Shown are an ibis in flight, a sanderling and a small group of black skimmers

Sanibel Wildlife

Pileated Woodpecker

Sanibel’s “Ding Darling”… a birder’s paradise

Living on Sanibel is a unique treat. Unlike most coastal Florida areas, residents have been able to retain a yesteryear flavor. Beaches are not dressed, making them a haven for shellers. There are no traffic lights. There are no street lights. There are no high rises. All development is limited to 42 feet above street level. Only a third of the island’s land is developed, a third is owned by conservation foundations or the city government and not open to development and a third is our crown jewel, the Ding Darling National Wildlife Preserve. Sanibel is SW Florida’s southernmost barrier island with standing fresh water year round. It is a stop off point for birds migrating to South America in the fall and back in the spring. The best time to visit Ding Darling is December through mid April. Pushed by cold fronts in December, the flocks arrive. Most spectacular are the white pelicans, flying long lines of 150 to 300. Unlike the more common brown pelicans, they feed in flocks standing on mudflats, ferreting out shellfish. They are gone now, to their breeding grounds in Saskatchewan. But other species remain. Most spectacular are the rare roseate spoonbills. Their pink plumage becomes more vibrant during their stay here. The iodine in their diet here enhances their color. Here are some shots of the spoonbills and a little blue heron taken yesterday.

Bougainvillea