In a Flip-Flop State of Mind.

 

Ever wonder what it’s like to take a dip with a manatee?  Just about 3 1/2 hours away from Sanibel, you’ll find Crystal River, the only place in the United States where you can legally swim with manatees.

The headwaters of Crystal River are known as Kings Bay, where the water temperature is a consistent 72 degrees year-round.  During the winter months, more than 400 manatees migrate here to escape the cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico,  » Read more

 

If you’d like to head up to the Sarasota area, about a 2-hour drive from Sanibel, we suggest including a trip to Myakka River State Park.

At 58 square miles, this is one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks.  The Myakka River flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up the family-friendly park.  In addition to showcasing a unique side of Floridas fauna and flora,  » Read more

 

Although we know how difficult it is to leave your beach chair most days, we also understand that sometimes you just get an itch to see more of what Florida has to offer.  We can’t blame you, and although we occasionally highlight other fun things to do nearby in our state, we thought we’d spend this entire week highlighting some easy “day trips” from Ocean’s Reach!  » Read more

 

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) recently revealed a fun new logo that features sihouettes of many of the animal friends successfully treated at the wildlife hospital each year.

Three birds, a brown pelican, a great blue heron and a great horned owl, represent CROW’s avian patients which account for over 60% of its annual caseload.

Mammals, represented by a North American river otter and a northern raccoon,  » Read more

 

Suncatcher’s Dream is a “must see” for many island aficionados!

Owner Dan Thompson’s love of Sanibel is reflected in merchandise throughout the store.  Here, you’ll find not-so-common gems as handmade wood boxes, spectacular glass, painted steel drums, exclusive jewelry, kitchen accessories, tiles, candles, spinners, chimes, their famous catnip, and, of course, suncatchers for the window or garden.

To read more about the “good karma and spectacular gifts”  » Read more

 

“When your world moves too fast

and you lose yourself in the chaos,

introduce yourself to each color of the sunset. “

 

– Christy Ann Martine

 

 

Should you have any photos you’d like to share,  » Read more

People’s Choice Grand Prize:  Photo by Lorna Littrell

 

2nd Place: Photo by Karen Blackford

 

3rd Place: Photo by Amy Tripp

 

Not only was this year’s Sanibel Shell Show a “virtual” success, it also gave us the opportunity to delight in some spectacular new photography,  » Read more

 

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is throwing a free Earth Day at the Refuge celebration on Sanibel Island on Thursday, April 22.

Guests can enjoy no-fee admission to Wildlife Drive for cyclists and hikers, free guided tours, paint-alongs, and on-your-own activities.

Refuge staff will carefully curate the event for participant safety, in compliance with pandemic protocols.  Guided tours and painting sessions with this year’s refuge Artist in Residence Rachel Pierce will be limited to 10 participants each.  » Read more

“The Butterfly Tree” by Ikki Matsumoto

 

Excerpt from the Fort Myers News-Press:

It’s been more than four decades since Ikki Matsumoto discovered Sanibel, the subtropical island that would become the muse for the rest of his wildly productive life.

Now, a kaleidoscopic selection of that creative life pulses between the covers of “Captivated: The Art of Ikki Matsumoto,” the first book to celebrate the man and his masterpieces.  » Read more

“Flowers” by Rheannon Hill

 

Invaluable connections can be created through photography, especially when it captures a chance to see wildlife upclose.

Our friends at the Ding Darling Wildlife Society recently announced the winners of their eighth annual High School Photography Contest at the Refuge.

Students from 19 different Southwest Florida schools submitted 179 images for judging.

First place went to an image titled “Flowers” by Rheannon Hill from Lehigh Senior High.  » Read more