In a Flip-Flop State of Mind.

“Junonia”

There’s no place like home, just ask our Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation friends who are part of the nighttime sea turtle tagging team.

“Generally, sea turtles exhibit ‘natal homing,’ which means nesting females will lay nests near the same beach they hatched from,” explains SCCF Sea Turtle Biologist Savannah Weber.  “Some turtles have very precise natal homing, where they lay nests within a few miles from the exact spot of beach from which they hatched.   » Read more

Slowly but surely, we’re making progress at Ocean’s Reach, where today we find ourselves at the eight-month anniversary mark of Hurricane Ian.

Andy and Lisa are our “boots on the ground” working daily to help rebuild the resort that we all miss and love so dearly.

They’re reporting progress on several fronts.  We’ve received our first batch of insurance checks,  » Read more

Photo from Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

Although the Sanibel Causeway was re-opened to emergency workers only 15 days after Hurricane Ian hit last fall, that was just the beginning of a long road ahead (forgive the pun) for those who love our island.

Work on the three-mile-long bridge hasn’t stopped since.  Temporary repairs should be completed by next month (the start of this year’s hurricane season) and then permanent repairs will begin.  » Read more

Photos from SCCF

More encouraging news from Mother Nature! 

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation biologists have recently located least tern nests on Sanibel and Captiva, reporting that this is the first time the birds have nested on the islands since 2020.

According to SCCF, least terns — the smallest terns in the world — are state-threatened seabirds that can be found along Florida’s coasts during late spring and summer.   » Read more

Throwback photo to Don’s muse and beautiful granddaughter, Claire … circa 2016

Sanibel Girl

The beach almost empty

The surf getting still

The rays of sun

A sea gull’s shill

There was peace all around

With a few nature sounds

A Great Heron eating

Some dinner he’d found

   » Read more

The first snowy plover chicks of the season!

The first sea turtle nest of the season!

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu

That sense of patience and hope continues to permeate throughout Sanibel and Captiva Islands, seven months after Hurricane Ian slammed onto our shores.

Residents are starting to find their footing,  » Read more

Sometimes it’s just the little things in life that make you happy. 

We’re grateful for seeing old friends again (especially when they’re delivering the mail), along with our shorebirds coming back, beautiful shells covering our beach, and — of course — spectacular Sanibel sunsets ending our days once again.  » Read more

One of the ways our islands have always thrived is through the amazing network of volunteers who tirelessly help out at our local nonprofit and community organizations.

Their spirit came through loud and clear at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” recently held at BIG ARTS.  More than 300 people attended to learn how they can further help with recovery efforts throughout the islands.

Hosted by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands and its Class of 2022 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program,  » Read more

We’re thrilled to report that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is scheduled to re-open tomorrow, welcoming back visitors to Wildlife Drive and their Visitors and Education Center, along with the Wildlife Drive observation tower and sections of the Indigo Trail, Wildlife Education Boardwalk and Wulfert Key Trail.

Wildlife Drive hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Thursday (closed on Fridays).   » Read more

Lisa and Keelsie helping with the extensive clean-up —

Their smiles always make our day!

Most of the debris has been picked up, with just a bit more to go

Clean-up has been going on everywhere, including our pond

A first-class pool transformation is in store

We’re in the final stages of developing a “Master Plan”  » Read more