Life Before Selfies

 

An excerpt from an article from our friends at “The River”; written by Gerri Reaves PhD:

In the last century or so, the number and types of diversions for tourists has skyrocketed. But if you visited Fort Myers in the early 19-teens, what was there to do?

Some activities have remained favorites through the decades; excursions to Sanibel – in the early days,  » Read more

Life in the Treetops

 

If you need a break from the beach, head up to the Sarasota area (about a 2-hour drive from Ocean’s Reach) and check out the amazing 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.   » Read more

Old Punta Rassa – Part 1

1882 Rand McNally map of Southwest Florida showing Punta Rassa and Fort Dulany; photo from State Library of Florida.  

“The Barracks” housed an increasing number of weary cattle drivers in Punta Rassa circa 1890s; photo from the Florida State Archives.

 

“Passing through Punta Rassa on the way to or from Sanibel Island on Florida’s Gulf coast,  » Read more

Welcoming a New Resident

 

In early June, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum’s Giant Pacific Octopus began the natural process of senescence, or end of life.  He began refusing food and released spermatophores, a sign of a reproductive phase after which the animal declines over a period of weeks or even days, and their death is imminent.

While he was in the Shell Museum’s care, the Giant Pacific Octopus inspired and educated over 100,000 visitors in person and over 33,000 viewers online through the museum’s unique Octocam » Read more

Dolphin Days #5

Photo by Debra McGuire

 

Finishing up our list of fascinating dolphin facts this week, courtesy of USA Today:

15. Our fetuses look very similar.

While unborn babies of humans and dolphins are in the uterus, they both have a tail, though for humans that is only briefly. Scientists believe these so-called protrusions are a legacy of genetic material from ancestors.  » Read more

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