In a Flip-Flop State of Mind.

 

For guests who love to bring their binoculars to search out our fine-feathered friends while on vacation, the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation has recently compiled a new comprehensive Bird Species List for the islands.

The 2021 list includes nearly 300 species that have been observed on Sanibel and Captiva islands, from New World warblers and owls to plovers and nightjars.

“We just wanted to have a document for people to use for birds to see while they’re here and have it pretty comprehensive,” SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht said.  » Read more

From Iloveshelling.com

 

Did you know Sanibel Island is about the same size as Manhattan, New York?

Manhattan is 13.4 miles long and 2.3 miles wide. Sanibel is around 12 miles long and 3 miles at its widest.  Both islands measure roughly 33 square miles.

But the similarities certainly end there … See for yourself!

 

 » Read more

 

Found on Pinterest  » Read more

 

“It is of interest to note that

while some dolphins are reported to have learned English

— up to 50 words used in correct context —

no human being has been reported

to have learned dolphinese.”  » Read more

 

Next time you’re visiting our area, you may want to put the new Welcome and Discovery Center at Lovers Key State Park on your “Must Do” list!

The recently-unveiled $5.7 million structure is just a short walk from the popular Lovers Key beach tram station.  Outside, the building features pillars designed to model mangrove roots, a 400-gallon touch tank and glass walls that open to large observation decks.  » Read more

 

Longtime guest Robert Y. from Cincinnati, OH ended up with a ridiculously awesome collection of sought-after shells on his most recent visit here!

His sensational “shellpourri” came right from our Ocean’s Reach beach.

Can you spot what takes center stage?  Yes sirree, a prized Junonia, in perfect condition!

(Yours truly is still waiting to find hers, 24 years and counting…)

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On Sanibel Island, we’re all about discovering nature!

At the onset of the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the Ding Darling Wildlife Society and Refuge staff quickly pivoted to keep “Ding” Darling Refuge fans engaged and learning about nature.  They created the #DingatHome web page and virtual experiences five days a week on Facebook Live, both of which we’ve featured previously on our blog.

We thought we’d circle back around to see what’s new.   » Read more

 

Here’s a one-of-a-kind webcam for you!

Our friends over at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum have come up with the (first ever?) “OctoCam” for a live-stream view of their newest star attraction, the Giant Pacific Octopus.

For anyone who wonders how this eight armed wonder eats, plays and lives in its environment, the OctoCam live-stream enables viewers to see the Giant Pacific Octopus in its aquarium in real-time.   » Read more

 

“An Essay on Bearing Defeat Without Losing the Passion” journals Anthony Vandenberg’s valiant attempt to complete the 2021 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge.

The veteran marathon windsurfer will have to wait for 2022 to try and finish the 300-nautical-mile sailing adventure along the Florida Gulf coastline.

The Everglades Challenge is an extreme adventure that dares participants to make it from Tampa Bay to Key Largo in eight days or less.  » Read more

Photo from the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

 

A handful of shells

and a head full of dreams 

 

 

 

   » Read more