Month: April 2022

Your phone is with you non-stop, so why not use it to show off your non-stop love of nature, too?

Visit the Ding Darling Wildlife Society’s Instagram page and click on the Highlight Reels at the top of the page to screenshot fun Refuge-themed wallpaper to your smart phone!  » Read more

Photo from ThroughTheLensGallery.com

Did you know …

… that Captiva Island’s north end was once connected to today’s North Captiva Island by a neck known as The Narrows?

A 1921 hurricane broke that neck to create Redfish Pass.  The pass was thusly christened when, for some unknown reason, redfish swam through it so at such a profuse rate that the waters looked red.  » Read more

Photo from Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

Did you know …

… that in the late 1800’s, much of Sanibel was owned by women?

In 1880, Sanibel Island was opened to homesteading. According to the Sanibel Historical Museum, there were few requirements, and “if one could withstand the sweltering heat, relentless mosquitoes, lack of most creature comforts,  » Read more

Robert Rauschenberg; photo from Widewalls.ch

Did you know …

… that Captiva Island was the full-time home of artist Robert Rauschenberg?

Milton Earnest (aka Robert) Rauschenberg, known as one of the most successful American artists of the 20th century, moved to Captiva in 1968 when there was only one telephone to the mainland, one policeman for about 50 families,  » Read more

Photo from the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

Did you know …

… that in the 1950’s, Lathrop and Helen Brown dreamt of a mega-mansion on 30 acres of Sanibel’s beachfront?  But building such a structure on a then remote island was problematic, so they came up with a novel solution.

In 1925, a Cincinnati shipyard built a workhorse boat was to haul automobiles across the Mississippi.   » Read more

Circa 1950 aerial photo of Sanibel Island from The Florida State Archives Photographic Collection for Historical Photos

Every once in a while, our guests ask us to “re-run” some of their favorite blog posts.  We hope you once again enjoy this week’s series of “Sanibel Secrets”! 

Did you know ….

…  » Read more

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently played host for the 2022 annual meeting of the Florida United Malacologists (FUM), a vibrant community of researchers, collectors, scholars, citizen scientists, enthusiasts, and students in the field of malacology: the study of mollusks.

“One of the unique aspects of FUM is that all have a voice, from local shell enthusiasts to seasoned scientists,” said event organizer Dr.  » Read more

An article recently published by “Money Inc” — titled “20 Beautiful Islands to Visit Within the United States” — begins:

“The stunning islands located in the United States are among the most iconic vacation destinations in the world.  Visitors travel far and wide to experience the tropical atmosphere and beautiful beaches.  The islands also offer plenty of exciting attractions and activities that are hard to resist.   » Read more

Wondering what the best rooftop bar may be in Southwest Florida?

According to the folks at USA Today, there is one in particular — the new Beacon Social Drinkery — that is, as they say, “perfect to visit pretty much any day of the year, but extra pleasant now during the spring.”

Their write-up:

“You hear Beacon Social Drinkery before you see it.   » Read more