Sunday in Sanibel

These early days in March 2020, are interesting times. Getting on Sanibel on Sunday was totally unusual: usually, there is a line-up to get on to the major road, Periwinkle, today, the traffic officer had nothing to do, really! The number of people on Sanibel road or stores was minimal. It was Sunday, and even market parking was available everywhere. Unheard of, but I digress.

Our staunch explorers wished to pedal their way along the many Sanibel bike paths. Here is our intrepid threesome heading off for a few hours of sightseeing.

And off into bike path heaven they go.

I revisited Dixie Beach where the roads were severely in risk of disappearing during the last hurricane. Those pictures did not turn out to tell the story properly, so you'll just have to take my word for it. This one and a half lane road services a small community surrounded by reserved lands, a small oasis of development surrounded by raw Nature. It's access road is in serious chance of letting them down, cutting them off from access to the rest of Sanibel.

Nearby, I found this Osprey nest that was close enough to make these pictures.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Here the male flies from the nest to this appendage that is added to many nest trays in the area. The perch is to allow the parents to shield the eggs from harsh sunlight.  That is what people have told me, and I'm quite willing to believe it...

Note his lady friend just below in the nest tray.

When he landed, he kept his wings away from his body as if to let cooler air through. It was 31ºC, with very little breeze, so he had every reason to try and cool off.

During his perch time, he kept doing vocals [screams] while his partner was less that a few feet away.

For whatever reason, possibly including my intrusion, she decided to leave the nest.

It was all a fascination little play set forth for my benefit. Serendipity is awesome.

Gene's Book Store is a Sanibel Landmark. 

On Christmas day, when Joan offered the girls a trip to Ft Myers during Spring Break, Kaitlyn was quick to ask if she could go to Gene's Bookstore. Not the beach, the pools, shopping, or anything else: Gene's Bookstore.

So far, we have been there twice, and there might be some serious elbow bending for a repeat visit.

The first store is a charming place with books everywhere, one of those wonderful charming places where everyone feels welcomed and amongst friends. Here is a picture of bookstore #1. It certainly does not do justice to the many nooks and crannies that all special bookstores have. I hope it does show the quality of shelving and the decor that exudes quality, comfort, safety, and learning that such a place might bring.

Now there is another Gene's Bookstore, just a short walk across the street; it houses history and less fictitious books on war, historical battles, and all that stuff that got us to where we are today. Mind you, history is written by the winners, so reader beware...

Put a book in Christopher's hand, and...

Books are stacked on the floor everywhere, and one could spend a long time making a study of their staff artistry...

Sophie may have inherited her need to jump into a book, even at the book store.

Gene's Bookstore, a destination for the wise...

Six Mile Cypress

 Six Mile Cypress is a well preserved Cypress slough, with a wonderful boardwalk that allows one to walk in perfect safety through a living swamp. Christopher, Sophie and Kaitlyn joined me for a daily slow walk along the one mile boardwalk.

It is spring here, and the Cypress start off with this mysterious yellow green leaf colour, much like the early leaves of our own  Weeping Willow. These sights are available to everyone who pays attention.

I was in a dreamy mood for most of these pictures, accordingly they are an attempt at emotion more than reality. I hope you enjoy them anyway..

Here is a Blue Heron just enjoying a newly found perch.

Slough views are magical in this Cypress Slough.

Of course, a wild native orchid, even when not in bloom, commands respect for those who find it.

Sophie spotted this frog, deep in the darkness underfoot. I am certain that no one else spotted this wonderful sight.

It was a hot and muggy day, the facility was open with reduced staff due to the current virus safety measures. There were many birds and others to be spotted. The list includes 54 anoles, a red shouldered hawk flying through at full volume, the usual Cormorants, Anhingas, Egrets and an Ibis or two. Caitlyn and Christopher saw a snake while Sophie and I didn't, in spite of looking everywhere.

All in all, a great day for all, and now the new books have regained their attention...

Sanibel and Captiva

I have been neglecting this blog for a while, and haven't made a picture in three weeks. Now that Joan is safely home, I am back to making a few photos. 

Today, we went to Jensens' Beach, Captiva, where the Manatees were close by. These are gentle creatures, often scarred by passing boats.  They have a very small face as this next picture shows one during their very brief air breathing.

Their nostrils actually have very small doors that shut off any chance of water getting into their noses.

It was really amazing to see three such wonders, side by side, just living their day just a few feet away from us.

All in all, there were at least a dozen Manatees in the area, and human witnesses had a very special day.

Just further along the pier, these little brown shore birds joined the scavengers that greeted the fisherman filleting his catch.

Of course, the usual suspects are always nearby when someone is filleting fish...

Even this glorious Great Egret could not pass the chance on a free meal. [Length: 39"  Wingspan: 51"]

Here he[?] is, in nearly full breeding colours, just waiting for scraps that might come his way.

This is also one of the usual suspects when people make fillets of fresh caught fish, a handsome young brown pelican.

Next is a senior version of a handsome brown pelican, all vying for an easy free meal. [L:50" W;79"]

Not necessarily amongst the usual suspects, this Snowy Egret was also hoping to cash in on bits of fish that were excess to requirements. [l:24" W:41"]

These next three pictures are of a small 8" or so, weird animal that also 'swam' in the area. This was the only sample we saw, the locals called it a few different things, but Google determines it was a Mottled Sea Hare.  A most weird looking being, that seemed to use its own body as a transportation device. We only saw one, and here is a short sequence of how it propels itself forward, towards our right.

Sophie Thought the head reminded her of a hammerhead shark.

Just a fascinating little 'being', there to amaze us with the stunning beauty of nature. I have never seen something so weird, or so fantastic.

Next is the Sanibel Lighthouse. Long decommissioned, this lighthouse still is of interest.  We had hoped to see Dolphins in great numbers, as friends had said, but today, had not been a good day for dolphins. 

This old lighthouse needs much TLC, but restricted budgets, etc etc. and now it is falling into disrepair, and has reached the ungainly look of a rusted hulk. Pitty.

While others walked the beach, looking for the perfect shell, I found this delightful Sea Grape plant on the beach that screamed: Look at me.

A wonderful day with grandkids, a wonderful day using my camera again. I hope you enjoyed my day too.