Month: December 2021

Photo Credit:  Astronaut Thomas Pesquet

Just in case you were wondering what Florida looked like during a recent pass from the International Space Station …

(Pretty cool, huh?)

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When it comes to shelling at Ocean’s Reach, good ‘ole fashioned diligence definitely pays off — Just ask longtime guest Julie P. from Troy, OH!

Julie sent us this photo of her latest shelling exploits after her recent stay here, adding:  “Up and out the door at 4 a.m. pays off at Ocean’s Reach.  This is Junonia Number 5 from staying at your place!”  » Read more

Photo by Danny Hussey

If you haven’t checked out the Sanibel Public Library during a past visit to the island, you’ve missed out on a treat!

Not only is it gorgeous, but as recent rankings attest, it’s rated “tops” in the entire state of Florida for a number of areas.

The Sanibel Library ranked number one per capita (per 1,000) for: circulation (number of books or items borrowed),  » Read more

Our friends over at the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge first created their “Ding at Home” web page during the pandemic lockdown to help keep kids engaged, and the page continues to provide families and individuals with a comprehensive list of opportunities to learn more about nature.

It’s also a great way to keep kids interested in learning during holiday vacation, so be sure to check in often!  » Read more

If you can’t be in awe of Mother Nature,

there’s something wrong with you.

– Alex Trebek

Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to [email protected].

Today’s Guest Photographer:  Laura Gherardi

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Playing now at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is the Broadway smash hit “Come From Away.” 

The uplifting musical tells the true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers and flight crew and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them following the events of 9/11.

We were fascinated to learn that one of the characters is based on Fort Myers native Captain Beverley Bass,  » Read more

With such awesome guests as the Bailey Family from Crystal Lake, IL, how can we not love this place?

Carolyn writes:

“We love Ocean’s Reach and have been coming for 30 years.

The first picture is of our kids in 2001 and the second one from this week, 20 years later taken right out behind the condo.  » Read more

San-Cap Audubon will conduct its annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 18.  The results of the local count will be forwarded to the National Audubon Society for inclusion in the 122nd National Christmas Bird Count.

More than 50,000 observers participate each year in this census of early-winter bird populations.  Information is then compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas.  » Read more

First Place – Doug Meurer

Second Place – Kathleen Colligan

Third Place – Donald Howe

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge recently announced the winners of its 29th annual “Ding” Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest.

Three winners and eight honorable mentions were selected out of 118 entries from 18 states and two countries.   » Read more

Make your holidays green and sustainable!

Take the waste out of your holiday celebrations with some simple tips:

• Avoid wrapping paper with glitter and foil accents, which make it unrecyclable.
• Use rosemary sprigs, magnolia or citrus leaves, and other greenery to decorate packages and create wreaths.
• Give the gift of experiences rather than material items that end up in the landfill.

 » Read more