I guess the family got a later start than I did – they’re not ready to go to the park yet, leaving me to find some shade and enjoy the lovely grounds. Here’s a geyser. I wonder if they grew the forked tree that way on purpose?
Saturday at EPCOT
The day started out warm and became ridiculous. I just want to go on record with photographic evidence that I most certainly DID have something resembling a hair style when I walked out the door in the morning. This is me at the bus stop –
Our main goal on this day was to Continue reading Saturday at EPCOT
A Friday Dose of Disney
My brother stayed behind at Saratoga Springs while my sister-in-law and I went to EPCOT. It was hell-hot, so we had some cool drinks and stole as much air conditioning as we could. A foray into Mouse Gear led us to discover that this particular Vera Bradley pattern may not be in such great demand – they were plentiful, if artfully piled.
After shopping, we Continue reading A Friday Dose of Disney
Spice Road Table at EPCOT’s Morocco
Tarpon Bay Explorers boat tour
The arch at the Ding
This arch marks the entrance to the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Center. It was made by the same artist who made the faux scat for the scat trail at the new wildlife boardwalk. There are a number of plant and wildlife species woven into the design. People were standing around the archway, trying to count how many. I heard the number "17" being tossed around…
Environmental education at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
This morning, I’m attending an environmental education conference at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida. The conference opened with a short hike to the new Wildlife Education Boardwalk. Here’s the view of the “tunnel” into the mangroves that flows beside the new observation tower. Looking forward to learning more today on beautiful Sanibel Island.
The Grind

Lakes Regional Park

A rocky sign at Bowditch Point
Fort Myers Beach

Times Square Ft Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach Pier

Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

Bowditch Point Park

Bowditch Point Park

Downtown House Of Pizza

Patio DeLeon

Publix Super Market at Alico Commons

Larry Garland | Beachwalk Images at Chico’s Plantation Lobby Gallery

Chico’s

Yellow Fever Creek Preserve

Downtown House Of Pizza

Fresh Planet Café

Hickory Swamp Preserve

The Sanibel Grill

Sanibel Island Causeway

Kate’s Kafe

Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden

Urban Farm EATS

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Mouse Gear

Mexico Pavilion

China Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion

Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie

Canada Pavilion

Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House

Epcot

Magic Kingdom Monorail Station

Magic Kingdom® Park

Downtown Disney Bus Stop – Marketplace

Manatee Sanctuary Park

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Muppet Vision 3-D

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Morocco Pavilion

Disney’s Boardwalk

Downtown Disney Bus Stop – Marketplace

I’m at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria!

I’m at Estero Marsh Preserve!

I’m at China Pavilion!

I’m at Guest Relations!

Downtown Fort Myers in the late afternoon sunshine

Fort Myers River District project
The detention basin project "brings water back to Bay Street". It also adds charm and ambiance to the Fort Myers waterfront.
Mickey mornin’
My favorite home made soap lady wasn’t at the market today so I decided to trawl the shops. At the Open Door Shoppes on Hendry Street, I saw this Mickey Mouse toaster. See? You can have a Disney day wherever you are!
Centennial Park sculpture
"The Firewalker" keeps on keepin’ on while about a bazillion dragonflies swarm on the lawns behind it. Yes, the sky really is that blue.
Beautiful morning on the Caloosahatchee
I remembered that today is Thursday, which is the day the farmer’s market installs itself beneath the shade of the Tamiami bridge, near Centennial Park. What a glorious morning it is for a stroll downtown – not too hot yet, and a breeze is coming off the water to keep things cool. Lets go see what they’ve got at the market!
Can you believe it? We won!
The Margaritaville Marauders won the July 4th road rally! The Optimist Club is about to award the prizes at Sanibel Grill. Can you say EXCITED?!
Where the panther was seen
Several nature lovers have reported panther sightings in the Slough this spring – and one was right around this spot! I’m seated in a rocking chair in the shade, back porch of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve visitor center. Breezy back here – nothing but the sounds of the wind, the birds, insects humming and singing, and the occasional plop of a fish jumping. I could be persuaded to nap…
Above sea level – for now!
The slough is indeed enjoying a fullness unusual for the beginning of the summer. A few more days of epic rain, and that sign is going under!
Please do not feed the wildlife
At the very beginning of the boardwalk trail, there were several post-tops sprinkled with black sunflower seeds. On conservation land, I’m pretty sure this is a no-no. The squirrels were having a feast and some may think that’s cute but bears eat these too – and they’re a bit more risky to have on the boardwalk!
Six Mile Cypress parking lot greeter
I parked in a shady spot and strolled across the parking lot to the boardwalk entrance, where I spied an armadillo on a mission. They have the cutest, trumpet-vine shaped ears! Their ears nearly rival the cuteness of hippo ears. He paid me no never mind and continued on with important armadillo matters.
Impromptu visit at Six Mile Cypress Slough
We had a solid week of epic rains – truly, they were of biblical proportions! So I wanted to stop by Six Mile Cypress Slough and see the effect on water levels there. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Debating the Sanibel-Captiva road rally answers
We ended the rally feeling more confident than the answer sheet is telling us we had a right to be! No way are we "contendahs" but we had fun. We’re currently at Sanibel Grill, and need to discuss our fireworks options for this evening.
American Legion float on Sanibel
There was an Independence Day parade earlier today on Sanibel – I guess this was the American Legion Hall’s float. You can tell which cars are in the Road Rally because they are festively decorated and there is a number soaped on the back windshield.
Refreshment break at American Legion
We have already solved more than 70 riddles n the Sanibel-Captiva Road Rally, and we are now stopping for a rest. Gonna pass on the hot dogs.
Heading for the Road Rally on Sanibel
The Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club runs an annual Road Rally every July 4th and I’ve been invited to ride with the Margaritaville Marauders. We head out at around 12:10 PM from Timbers. Will blog as time/circumstance allows.
Leaving Disney’s Yacht Club
We decided on burgers at the Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club. They were yummy! Pretty much time for me to start driving now…
Self-parked and ready to do lunch
We are going to pick from the resort dining available in the Boardwalk area. We’re starving!
Springtime in Walt Disney World means…
…gardenias! I’ve never had any luck growing them, but Disney sure has. These lovely and fragrant shrubby plants are blooming everywhere you look right now, often with nearby magnolias. Olfactory feast!
Characters in flight
It’s just so photogenic! The new balloon looks like something from the time period of Oz; probably intentional! I miss the old red and yellow balloon but this one is pretty too.
A poolside “Good Morning!” at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
Today I didn’t do a run around Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. Instead, I took a little nature photography hike along the river and ended up poolside. Here’s a little treat left by the Cast Members – or maybe that chaise is reserved for Mickey ;). Now for some coffee…
Dessert at the Flying Fish
We were beyond stuffed when this came around but we made a valiant effort !
Main course at The Flying Fish
My main course at The Flying Fish was Maine scallops with a risotto that included English peas. Amazing!
Palate cleanser at Flying Fish
At the Flying Fish on Disney’s Boardwalk – at some point during the wine pairing meal, you get a palate cleanser that "soothes the soul". This is lemon sorbet with a Limoncello/Absolute chaser. Thoroughly enjoyable!
The EPCOT salad at Flying Fish
My brother and sister in law had two courses while I picked away at this salad. Bib and red oak lettuces were grown in EPCOT’s own gardens in The Land.
Appetizer at the Flying Fish
Various tidbits from the sea with ramps and other veggie things – I have never had ramps before so this was a treat!
Uh oh – I think I need a refill
Flying Fish makes a drink called Boardwalk Bay Breeze. I highly recommend it.
I’m a crustacean sensation!
When I checked into The Flying Fish on Disney’s Boardwalk, I received a badge. Apparently, I frequent a lot of seafood restaurants.
A snack at Tutto Gusto
We have been eating our way around the festival kiosks in World Showcase and now we are relaxing in the cool shady cavern known as Tutto Gusto. Glass of muscato + canollis = heaven!
Saratoga Springs geyser
I had some work to finish this morning and let me tell you, if you have to work on vacation, there are worse places to do it. I enjoyed having the terrace doors open and listening to the birds sing while I worked. Now I am off to EPCOT and lunch!
A view of Downtown Disney
Here is another scene from the morning run at Disney’s Saratoga Springs. It’s awesome to get a different perspective on old familiar scenes.
Morning run at Saratoga Springs
Crossing into Pleasure Island
Headed for the boat back to Saratoga Springs. Bongos was really good, but really loud. We want some quality conversation time.
Arriving at Pleasure Island
Waiting to dock at Pleasure Island
All aboard for Pleasure Island
After ditching the car at the resort and hoofing it over to Downtown Disney’s Marketplace, I decided to board a water taxi to Pleasure Island. Destination: Bongos!
Jacaranda in bloom at EPCOT
These lovely flowers are so fragrant, and quite beautiful against the blue and silver backdrop of Spaceship Earth and the springtime Florida sky.
Orchids in EPCOT’s Mexico
Glad to see Mexico dripping with orchids once more. There have been years where this hasn’t happened.
To infinity – and beyond!
Buzz Lightyear topiary, appropriately placed just outside of Mission:SPACE. We never ride this attraction any more – once or twice was enough!
Percussion in EPCOT
Creative use of trash cans!
My future from Spaceship Earth
I will have a healthy and active future according to Spaceship Earth. Here I am rising and shining. When the video arrives in my email, I’ll post it here.
I can smell Rome burning from here
Some days, Spaceship Earth is absolutely permeated with the smell of Rome burning. You can detect it long before as well as long after.
Spaceship Earth – now launching
There was absolutely no line for Spaceship Earth. Let’s travel back in time together!
LIVE from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort!
I’m here at Walt Disney World for a couple of days to visit with family in town from Long Island. Right now, I need to chillax a little and have some lunch. Then well have some fun! Bongos for dinner tonight – mmmm Cuban food, can’t wait *drools a little* C’MON LET’S GO!
Pineland – Calusa Heritage Trail, Part 2
We’re picking up the walk around Pineland where we left off. Here’s a bird who’s got a lot in common with that guy who still lives in his mom’s basement. He sure looks like a grown-up osprey, but he was whining like a baby. “Feed! Me! Feed! Me! Feed! Me! he cried, in clipped, rapid succession.
Meanwhile, an adult in a tree some distance away flatly refused to bring food. Instead, she ocassionally called out encouragingly, “Get a job, you slacker – go out and hunt! The free ride is OVAH!” 😉 I have encountered this sort of stand-off before, at the Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel. Coaxing the young adults out of the nest seems like hard work, and it probably is – but in the case of the osprey, we cannot blame the economy!
On a mound that overlooks the water, we found a spot where a rabbit had been shedding (there wasn’t really enough of it to assume there had been a “circle of life”-type struggle).
This sign looks melted. We’re wondering if fire came through once upon a time and also wondering why no one has carted it away.
This made me laugh. Yes, OBVIOUSLY, one can hike in either direction, but more to the reason for laughter, it reminds me of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. “Of course, some people do go both ways.”
We came upon an entire osprey family on their nest, which had the most unfortunate piece of lumber sticking straight up, bisecting the tableau. Upon closer inspection, it looks like it was nailed up there on purpose to keep the nest from toppling over. At first, I didn’t see the two chicks in the center, and thought it was just a parent and a juvenile. Then the chicks popped their heads up, all staring curiosity, and the whole family posed nicely for me. I think the one on the right is from an earlier brood; he doesn’t look quite adult to me, but he’s clearly more mature than the two in the center.
Osprey chicks – faces only a mother could love. Despite their scrawny little heads with large staring eyes, they are somehow still every inch adorable!
This dead tree was riddled with line after line of perforations – must be a real favorite of the local woodpecker population. The air plant attached to the side looks like it’s still got a few buds left to bloom for the season.
Once we’d done the loop, we decided to take the shortest way back to the parking lot and get into some air conditioned goodness. Pineland is a very interesting place, and I’d like to take another tour sometime with a knowledgeable guide. However, since the trails don’t have a whole lot of shade, I think my return will be next winter, when the weather is kinder.
What’s your covenant with the earth?
Pineland – The Calusa Heritage Trail
After a hike at Conservation 20/20’s Galt Preserve and lunch at the Lazy Flamingo, we explored the Calusa Heritage Trail at Pineland. This site is on Pine Island off the Lee County, Florida coast. It was once a part of the Calusa nation in Southwest Florida. The remains of several shell mounds still stand here, as well as part of the Calusa-built transportation network of canals. It was a hot afternoon – unusually hot for April – and we probably made quicker work of our self-guided tour than we would have in more pleasant weather. Still found beautiful things to see and wonder about. Let’s go!
At least six feet tall, this agave rises impressively from the base of on of Pineland’s shell mounds.
The view from the top of the mound. There are lots of theories – they’re burial grounds, they’re ceremonial, they’re sacrificial. But one thing is clear – this is pretty far up for storm surge to get you. My money is on the practical purpose – shell mounds are hurricane evacuation points.
Along about the beginning of June or so, the entire top of the mound is going to be bursting with the orange glow of royal poinciana.
Whelks were by far the most common shell I saw on the mounds, but there were ocassional other types of gastropods, such as this tulip and the fighting conch by my toes. Of course, these shells are antiquities and therefore NOT candidates for collection.
We found wild native poinsettia plants growing on the ascent to another mound. These are great for attracting pollinators to your garden. Notice how small the red leaves are, as compared to the cultivated variety.
We also found some fiery lantana setting fruit. Lantana is not a native plant, so this was something of a surprise for us. I think we can conclude that Pineland is not under a native-only mandate when it comes to planting.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Some FUNky facts about the osprey
I adventured last week with some fellow nature lovers to Estero Marsh Preserve, a Lee County Conservation 20/20 property in Fort Myers, Florida, where we encountered this beautiful osprey. She was quite vocal and animated about something as we passed by the huge slash pine where she was perched. Here are some FUNky facts I’ve learned about the osprey.
1. The osprey occurs on every continent except Antarctica. It’s the 2nd most widely distributed raptor, right after the peregrine falcon.
2. Ospreys have a reversible toe that helps them to hold onto slippery fish. You can see the toe in this picture, gripping the back end of the branch while the other toes are in the front. However, I have personally witnessed the failure to hold onto a fish. Several years back, I saw an osprey snatch a fish from the pond in my back yard, only to drop it back into the water on the ascent. The bird circled round and round, screaming in frustration, but was not able to find the fish again, and eventually gave up. Lucky fish!
3. The osprey pairs for life, breeding with the same mate year after year. They build a giant nest of twigs and sticks, often atop man-made structures such as channel markers and street light posts. A pair of osprey will cohabitate for about half the year – as long as it takes to mate, lay and incubate eggs, and fledge their young from the nest.
4. 99% of the osprey’s diet is comprised of fish, so they always live near water. They hunt in fresh water as well as brackish and salt water. What comprises the other 1% of the osprey’s diet? They will occasionally catch and eat small animals such as mice, rabbits, frogs, lizards, or other birds.
5. The more dense the local population of ospreys is, the later in life an osprey will breed. This is due to competition for suitable nesting sites – places that will support the massive nests and are high enough off the ground to reduce the risk of predator invasion. Sometimes, environmental or wildlife groups will build platforms to provide more nesting site options.
More photos of local ospreys:
A Sanibel osprey vogues for me
Critter encounters at Bowditch Point (scroll to the bottom on this one)
Frilly, yet functional – egg capsules of the true tulip
Every so often, the southwest Florida beach comber will run across a
delicate, bouquet like mass tossed upon the beach. If it’s a
particularly frilly-looking mass, chances are pretty good that you’ve
stumbled upon the egg capsules of the true tulip. I found this one on
Bunche Beach in Fort Myers, Florida. Click here for a page that shows a
row of empty true tulip shells –
mymobileadventures.com/2008/01/tulips-tulips-tulips – now,
imagine them smaller than the head of a pin, and encased in a
tough-yet-bendy (something like a finger nail) substance. When you pick
up the mass and shake it, a rattling sounds means that the young snails
are still in there, waiting to hatch. Return it to the beach and let
Mother Nature do her thing. 🙂
egg mass of the true tulip snail, bunche beach, fort myers, florida