Sanibel again

The eve of our departure.  Sanibel Island is one of my favorite places.  Not so much because it's a warm place in a cold season.  And not so much because it is so familiar - this might be the 10th visit.  It's because the island takes account of the wildlife that live not only in the wildlife refuge (called the "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge), but in the sea, in the bay, in the streams and ponds, and in the privately owned preserves on the island. 

White pelicans on a sandbar in Tarpon Bay

Ibises roosting in the wildlife refuge

The beaches are not cleaned or groomed so all of the shells and seaweed and odd debris that washes up are left on the beaches.  Occasionally that means stinky dead fish, but not often.  There are no stoplights or street lights on the island; the glow from streetlights would confuse young hatchling sea turtles.  It seems they hatch at night and immediately head for the area that is paler than their immediate surroundings:  the sea.   And, finally, the building code seems to be limited to tree-top height, i.e., 3 or 4 stories. 

This is red macro-algae on the beach.



January 10, 2011 - Last sunrise on the beach.

 Every year I have to learn all over again the names of the large sea birds and those who patrol the shallows looking for lunch.  And learn again the names of the little sea shells that litter the high-water line.  And get out of bed before sunrise to head down to the beach and watch the orange-red orb as it breaks above the horizon line down past Naples.  Once we were lucky enough to see the moon rise over Ft. Myers; I'd love to see that again.

Shellers on the untidy beach

And then there is the food - - my favorite is a fried grouper filet basket from Schnapper's.  Actually, grouper prepared in any and all manner is good.  Steamed gulf shrimp; oysters shucked and on the half shell with mignonette sauce.  Beautifully juicy oranges - several kinds.  And any breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe.

Joe's enjoying grouper at Schnapper's outdoor patio.

We stay for only one week.  I wonder:  if we stayed for a month, would we get tired of it?  bored?  anxious to go home?  The cultural life there is not what we have here - although the Island Reporter newspaper writes reviews of plays and concerts and art exhibits.  We've never gotten involved with those because our stay is short; would we do otherwise if we stayed longer?  Remains to be seen.