April 10th has been officially recognized as Gopher Tortoise Day!
The goal of Gopher Tortoise Day is to increase awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle reptiles.
Gopher tortoises are considered a “keystone species” because they dig burrows that provide shelter for 360 other species of wildlife, called “commensals.” These commensal species include the gopher frog, Florida mouse, eastern indigo snake, and hundreds of invertebrates like beetles and crickets. » Read more
Another cool photo from Andy. Look closely! Can you see it?
It’s an Anhinga seen at The Dunes nestling in the sheltered water habitat they prefer.
You can often spot an anhinga perched on a branch with wings outstretched, drying its feathers. The fact that their feathers are less water resistant than other birds helps them to swim underwater.
Although not particularly fast swimmers, » Read more
Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world and worth more than $6 billion to the state of Florida alone. Corals, however, are dying at an unprecedented rate because of global and local threats such as climate change, ocean acidification, and disease outbreaks.
Mote Marine Laboratory scientist Dr. Erinn M. Muller aims to understand how these threats are impacting reefs around the world and identify corals that are resilient to the stressors. » Read more
“Count your rainbows. Not your thunderstorms.”
– Alyssa Knight
(Quote published when she was reportedly 12 years old.)
Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to [email protected].
Did you know that the amount of plastic straws that are used in just a single day in the U.S. when lined up side by side could circle the globe 2 1/2 times?
A moment on our lips, a lifetime in the ocean. Once in the ocean, plastic straws are believed to persist for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, where they cause injury, illness, and death to wildlife. » Read more
On Thursday, April 5, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) will host a free “Meet the Artist” reception for bird photographer David Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, a talented amateur photographer who winters on Captiva Island, became seriously interested in bird photography in 2010, after retiring from a career in finance. The self-taught photographer took inspiration from Arthur Morris, author of The Art of Bird Photography. » Read more
One of our favorite annual events on the island for families, the 24th Annual Spring Festival for the Children’s Education Center of the Islands will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Sanibel City Park (next to the Sanibel Community House).
The Festival begins with a free Easter Egg Hunt by age group at 9:00 a.m. sharp. » Read more
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Awesome resort. Everything is there. All my favorite things: palm trees, beach, shells, water. Everything you need is right there. Staff is friendly and helpful. The staff will bring you anything you... MORE
2230 Camino Del Mar, Sanibel, FL 33957
