I’m excited to be starting the Florida Master Naturalist program tonight! This is the Coastal Systems Module. There will be multiple field trips during June. If there’s opportunity to take photos during this adventure (I *am* supposed to be learning something) you can be sure I will share!
Tag Archives: Fort Myers
Hey, #SWFL – Edison & Ford Winter Estates Groupon Deal!
My Mobile Adventures *~*~* mobile blogged a visit to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates earlier this month. At $24 for the garden tour, I thought it was a BIT pricey, but $12 is a GREAT bargain! So if you’re interested, jump on this deal – I think it will only be good for two more days (Until Monday May 30th 2011).
CLICK HERE to get a GROUPON for Edison & Ford Winter Estates Tours
Slideshow: MORE from the Edison-Ford Winter Estates
© Copyright 2011 Tink *~*~* | http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Here are some more photos from our great ramble around the Edison-Ford Winter Estates here in Fort Myers, Southwest Florida. The place was lively with school tour groups, flowering trees and shrubs bursting into bloom, bees bumbling, water fowl foraging – and mangoes dropping out of the trees.
I like that you’re encouraged to walk on the lawns, and that it’s not that perfectly manicured golf course stuff. Loved the story of the Edison Botanic Research Co., which was formed because both Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone needed a domestic source of rubber. The location just can’t be beat – with the beautiful Caloosahatchee River spread before them, why would they want to spend their winters anywhere else? All in all, a splendid morning.
There’s a slide show below. If you want to read the detailed commentary that goes with each photo, CLICK HERE to visit the set on Flickr. Enjoy the photos 🙂
SUBSCRIBERS: if you do not see a slide show below this sentence, please click through to the blog.
Exiting the Edison-Ford Estates
We grabbed a turkey wrap from the concession and now we are headed our separate ways – Christene to go shopping and me to go excavate my home from the wreckage known as "finals week" 😉 What a wonderful morning this was – definitely want to come here again!
Looking very GQ
Mr. Henry Ford vogues for us
ADDED FOR PHOTO FRIDAY: Great timing – I just finished touring the Edison-Ford Winter Estates here in Fort Myers, Florida. Henry Ford is generally acknowledged as the father of modern manufacturing, having pioneered use of the assembly line for the making of his automobiles. This statue lives on the Ford winter estate in Fort Myers, Florida, where he lived next door to other luminaries of his time (no pun intended… well maybe just a little) such as Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone.
For more pictures from this week’s tour of the Edison-Ford Estates here in Fort Myers, Florida, CLICK HERE
Pond in the butterfly garden
This appears to be a children’s section of the garden, with contributions by various schools
Golden Dewdrop
Yeah, I know – it’s purple. No, I dunno why, either!
View from the Ford’s back porch
Not so shabby!
Massive mysore fig from India
Another massive rubber tree, this time on the Ford side of the historic site. Another name for this tree is Brown Wooly Fig. It has been growing here since the 1920s
Hunter in the shallows
A great egret looks for lunch in the Caloosahatchee River. I’m getting closer to the Ford Estate now
Let’s be safe out there! #swfl
I guess they don’t want anyone taking a dunk in the river without any lifeguards on duty LOL
Convergence of trees
Let’s see – palm. Pine, live oak, bamboo and strangler fig, all against the same beautiful Southwest Florida sky. Where’s better than here? 🙂
Edison Pier
It’s a quarter mile long and really rickety! That’s what low tide on the Caloosahatchee looks like.
Non-native species
I see South American anoles everywhere in Florida. But the native Florida anole (entirely green) is a rare sight. There’s one living in my garage at the moment; he’s endangered and doesn’t try to come in, so he can stay, I guess 😉
Giant mysore fig
The audio tour device says this fig tree was planted in the 1920s as part of Edison and Ford’s experiments with making rubber
Citrus harvest
A small room off the caretaker’s house is filled with citrus fruits – it’s actually called a cracker house 🙂
Buds on a black olive tree
This is near the swimming pool – in addition to experimental exotics, there are also lots of edibles here
Mango season is coming to #swfl soon!
The mango trees on the Edison Estate in Fort Myers are heavy with still-green fruits, but they’ll be ready to pick pretty soon, I reckon
The Moonlight Garden
Just outside the door of Edison’s little office building, this would be a great place for a night owl to "go to work" each night
Edison’s “Little Office”
There’s a "moonlight garden" outside, planted with fragrant, night-blooming things
Dwarf poinciana
I didn’t know poinciana came in a dwarf variety. I will have to investigate planting one of these on my front lawn. Look at that color!
Mountain Aloe on Edison Estate
This is a giant – one of the biggest I’ve seen. edison was always growing exotics for his experiments
Back Porch River View
Here’s what Edison saw when he sat on this wide back porch. That’s the Caloosahatchee River as it runs past McGregor Blvd. In Fort Myers.
Calamondin mitis from China
Aka little baby oranges that are bitter. That’s a cinnamon tree in the background
Mina Edison in the Garden
We’re going across the street now to see the gardens and the river
Mr Edison and his banyan tree
This tree is … Well, you have to see it to believe how huge it is
Today’s Adventure: Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers
Upcoming Adventures: Flowers, Festivals, Walt and Wizards!
© Copyright 2011 Tink *~*~* | http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Friendship can be a motivator, a mover and a shaker. I am fortunate to be blessed with some really cool friends who’ve made adventurous plans for the month of May and they want me to tag along – w00t! Well you know my motto –Have Signal, Will Blog! Here’s what you can expect to see here at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* during the month of May:
The Edison-Ford Winter Estates
Fort Myers, Florida
My friend Christene is an avid Florida gardener who blogs at The Great Wall Of Lutz. She’ll be driving down to spend some much-needed vacation time on Sanibel Island. While she’s down this way, she’ll be indulging in her passion a bit by visiting some local gardens. Among her selections is the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, situated on the bank of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. There, we’ll tour the beautiful gardens and check out a festive bromeliad event that’s about to begin starting May 1st. We’ll go during the week, though, to avoid crowds.
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples, Florida
About a half hour or so down the interstate (or down the Tamimami Trail/Route 41, take your pick) is the city of Naples, Florida. Naples can boast of several nature-related attractions, including the Corkscrew Swamp (on my “bucket list”) and Rookery Bay (been there, done that – check it out!). For this particular outing, Christene has selected the Naples Botanical Garden. I’ve checked out the map, and the place looks SWEET! Not only that, but our mutual friend Snowbird recently spent some time there and returned singing the praises of the place. I’m hoping this is a good time of year to visit and that there are lots of photo opportunities.
Walt Disney World – EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Orlando, Florida
Yep, I was just there, in February and in March. Yep, we’re going to do it again 🙂 This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World. For years, I dreamed of going to EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival. When I finally got my chance, it became an annual habit that was broken only in the year I moved to Florida (the move stepped all over the Festival in a big way, timing-wise). I’m especially looking forward to all the amazing scents – gardenia, jasmine, magnolia and many more. But more importantly, I’m looking forward to some quality time with my “sistas”, an amazing collection of women, all of whom I am privileged to call “friend”. AND, all of whom have a penchant for the Grey Goose/Grand Marnier Slushie kiosk in EPCOT’s France, not to mention the tequila bar in Mexico. Happy times, straight ahead!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Orlando Resort
Yes, we were just here as well – ides of March, picked up Niece No. 1 at MCO and away we went for several days. This time, a couple of the “sistas” want to do only one day here, primarily to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I imagine there’s butterbeer in our future, and I know I’m kinda looking forward to the ribs at the Three Broomsticks again 😉 What can I say, I’m a creature of habit and when I find a habit that I like a lot, I stick with it! I’m happy to go for one day and hit the highlights – Spiderman, Jurassic Park, maybe The Hulk if they are feeling adventurous, and of course, the entire Hogsmeade/Hogwarts compound, complete with a turn on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as well as at least a walk through the queue for The Dragon Challenge. Should be a fun day!
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So, it looks like May will be packed with mobile adventures. I need to get over the school hurdle first – it’s the end of the semester and I have papers to write. Guess I’d better get to it – SEE YA REAL SOON!
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Earth Day Wildlife Wanderings
In observance of Earth Day, I took a stroll through the trails of the Calusa Nature Center, which is a local sanctuary here in the northeastern corner of Fort Myers, Florida. Most, if not all of the wildlife in captivity at the nature center has been injured in some way – they are either under rehab in preparation for release, or else they are permanent residents who cannot be returned to the wild.
Here are some tortoises crowding together in a patch of sun. They love to be warm.
The nature center boasts a collection of fossilized whale bones, including the skull, that were found on Fort Myers Beach. Here’s a young Eastern Lubber grasshopper taking a rest on the skull bone.
After my nature center stroll, I went to the grocery store and was rewarded for using a reusable bag with this cute little green keychain thingie. I thought it was funny that the bag I used had actually been obtained at a different store, but I guess Publix isn’t being picky…
One of the things I did at the nature center was mobile blogging, which is not unusual for me – but I didn’t do it HERE, at My Mobile Adventures *~*~*, which IS a bit unusual. I have an iPod Touch and there was this free app called Zapd, which essentially lets you create a photo blog on the fly with your iDevice. Although my iPod Touch doesn’t take fabulous photos (only a 2MP camera), I still wanted to experiment, so I thought I’d test drive it today.
But… you protest – don’t you need a wi-fi connection with the iPod Touch? Why yes, yes you do! Which is why I was tethered to my phone the whole time I hiked :) Not the kind of thing I’d want to do all the time, as I already have a mobile blogging solution and this used twice the in-the-field battery power normally necessary for mobile blogging. But it was fun and easy, so I thought I’d share –
Happy Earth Day 2011 SWFL – CLICK HERE to see my first Zapd site
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Keepin’ it to the left #swfl
Headed to the islands for lunch with mah peeps
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Collection 3
"Mac and Cheese" shells (well, that’s what color they are, right?). Matchstick for scale. Fan shells in the background. All from Sanibel too.
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OPTION 4: hide unprotected body parts in shadow of pillar
Lazy way out trumps all other options 🙂
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OK, lesson learned – never gonna do that again!
Vehicle sweet vehicle – thou art a blessing, for thou hast air conditioning!
No shade to speak of on that route. Next time, we’re gonna run first and blog later!
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Ok let’s do this #swfl
Yesh, now that I’ve blown the cooler hours mobile photo blogging, I’m gonna run in the bright sunshine LOL. It doesn’t say "No Running" like Six Mile Cypress does, so I think I’m good. See ya later!
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Butterfly house at Lakes Park #swfl
Sign on the door says "Employees Only" oh well!
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A shady spot to rest
Here’s another gazebo, around the bend from the Japanese garden. It’s near the demonstration garden, a raised bed currently populated with vegetables. Also nearby is a huge heap of "black gold" or finished compost – smells heavenly. i miss gardening!
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Sweet Serenity in the Japanese Garden
Lots of lizards here, and tiny fishes in the pond too
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Queen’s Wreath Vine
Reminds me a little of wisteria. Entering a tiny Japanese-inspired section of the gardens
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Gazebo in the Cactus Garden
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Entering the Cactus and Succulent Garden in Lakes Park
All manner of prickly things grow here. There are also lots of rocks forming lots of crevices and crannies for critters.
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Near the peace garden in Lakes Park, Fort Myers
There’s a circular garden with a post in the center that has prayers for peace inscribed upon ot. What a pretty place!
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Fountains near the Fragrance Garden
You can see thes fountains as you pass by Lakes Park on Gladiolus. There are benches placed nearby so you can set a spell and enjoy the soothing WHOOSH.
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Lakes Park Fragrance Garden
Just beyond the community garden, a fragrance garden lies. Not smelling anything fragrant yet, but it rained heavily last night, which could be drowning out the smells!
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Raised beds in the community garden
The garden is entirely a sea of raised beds, and there’s still some space left for more.
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Lakes Park Community Garden
Visiting the othe side of Lakes Park today. temp.erate, breezy, not at all crowded!
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Beautiful but NOT a running trail
Large rocks and roots are embedded in this trail
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Why does it nest on the ground?
I dunno! It’s a hawk and she and her mate raise a fuss when you walk past
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Because the eagles are trying to quit
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There’s a birthday party going on inside
This was a one-room schoolhouse that was donated to the preserve and moved from the Iona section of town.
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Albino raccoon!
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American Bald Eagle
I believe most of the animals were brought here to heal injuries
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Whuttup, dawg… No, I know you’re not a dog
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Albino Burmese Python
We are in the "Invasive Species" section, and there are mostly snakes here
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Owl Post… probably not!
Little Eastern Screetch Owls
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Gators behind a fence
Thank you God for fences
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Calusa Nature center in Fort Myers
There’s a cache here…
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Not quite where they said it would be
But close enough – this makes number 8 🙂
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A geocache site in Fort Myers
We need a find after last night – went after one in the dark and came up empty
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We just can’t help ourselves
Geocaching by the Spring Breakers continues – we braved fire ants for this one!
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Fuel for the running of errands and the purging of closets
Fuel for the running of errands and the purging of closets, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.
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[VIDEO] Look, up in that tree – it’s “Woody”!
© Copyright 2011 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Week before last, I took a stroll deep into the swamp – the Six Mile Cypress Slough here in Fort Myers – and I heard a familiar sound. After looking around for a bit, I found him. He’s a pileated “Woody” woodpecker, with a ruby red crest on his head. Isn’t he beautiful? What a treat! Actually, I did even better than this – I got about a 10 second video of him before he moved around to the other side of the tree and out of sight. Sorry it isn’t longer, but that’s wildlife for ya – always doing just as they please, leaving us photographers fumbling to get something decent. I hope I see him again sometime when I go back. Enjoy!
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What a lovely morning that was!
I will definitely be back to walk/run the trails in earnest and get some fresh produce!
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Fun for the whole family!
There’s a cute little kiddie train ride here
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Locomotive pavilion – Railroad Museum of South Florida
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Ah-HAH! The meaning of”Step Up Lee”
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The view from the picnic pavilion
Very nice but there are some really aggressive birds that hang out here!
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Wow – must be GREAT to live here!
There are condos or apartments of some sort that back up to the park. I’d LOVE to have all this right off my lanai!
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Sunbather
I watched him struggle up there. He’s sportin’ a slick, green coating of vegetation goodness. Ewww.
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Skyscrapers – in Fort Myers?!!
AND we have cows and feed stores as well! Fort Myers is a strange justaposition of poshery and podunkery 🙂
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Preening in the reeds
I think it’s an anhinga – hard to tell from this distance. I need field glasses! Mine broke last year and I’ve yet to replace them.
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Yep, it’s that kind of Southwest Florida day
How many different times and how many different ways can one fall in love with the sky down here?
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A secret spot for lunch
Well not so secret but when you sit up there with your back to the path, you do feel sort of secluded.
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What is “Step Up Lee”, I wonder? #swfl
Maybe some Lee County fitness walking program?
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Will that be cash, check, charge… or your life?
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Lakes Park Is A Pretty Place
Lots of water fowl enjoy this place – just saw some moorhens and a pelican. Also a weird, fat black goose with a red head. But I am standing amidst a bunch of fire ant mounds to get this picture and I don’t want to stand here too long….
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VIDEO – oh wow this one is fun :)
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Little blue heron fishing at Lakes Park
Well, at least I THINK that’s what he is. If I’m going to get my walk on, then I’m going to have to stop getting distracted!
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Recreational options
You can rent bikes, recumbents, surreys and all manner of watercraft here. makes me want to run right out and buy a bicycle LOL
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Look – you can go shelling here ;)
Crushed shells line the perimeter of the water playground – they make excellent drainage
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Stuff You’re Not Allowed To Do Here
Ok maybe just sitting and listening is safer…
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Water Playground
Oh to be a child again! Well, it’s a little chilly yet this morning to be running through the spray, but later on when it hits 80*, I suppose some lucky younguns will be delighted. The sound alone is pretty soothing.
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Blood drive in Fort Myers today
Blood Mobile aka "Big Red Bus" is parked right beside the Farmer’s Market in Lakes Park.
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Farmer’s Market Friday
They have fresh local produce, flowers, herbs, honey, art and crafts here. and lots more. Traffic in and out of the parking lot is brisk!
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Lakes Park in Fort Myers
I’ve never been to Lakes Park in the five years I’ve been living here. Since I just got my "AB" parking sticker in the mail from Lee County, I thought I’d check it out on this glorious February morning in Southwest Florida.
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Gasoline, Ft Myers – will post Orlando when I get there
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Truth in advertising… Um no
No otters were seen today, but there were lots of fish, turtles and even a bee hive in the knot of a tree.
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Looking for lunch
Hard to tell from this distance, but that’s either a juvenile egret (wrong season for juveniles, maybe) or else it’s a little blue heron without breeding colors.
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A boggy spot
It rained recently so I’m thankful for the couple of miles of boardwalk that wind their way through the swamp, helping to keep our feet dry
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Look who’s getting a tan
On my way home from the bookstore, I decided to stop in at the Six Mile Cypress Slough (swamp) in Fort Myers. Here’s a baby gator taking in some sun. Wonder where da mama is?
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Photo Friday: Breathtaking
© Copyright 2010 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
For today’s “Breathtaking” Photo Friday, I’d like to share some sunsets I have known.
Above: EPCOT, Walt Disney World – October 2010
Above: “Two Ladies In The Harbor”, New York City – September 2006
Above: Sanibel Island, Florida – May 2009
Above: My backyard – January 2009
Uncommon Friends by D. J. Wilkins
Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and their buddy Mr. Firestone (sorry, I don’t know his first name) -"fathers of the American industrial 20th century" – captured in sculpture for this fountain in the Fort Myers River District
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Lunchtime Stroll #swfl
My class is on a break so I’m taking this opportunity to wander the River District in Fort Myers, Florida
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Caloosahatchee Crossing
Commuters make their way across the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers
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Strange dangly fruit of the vine
The frilly purple flowes apparently morph into these figgy-looking fruits. Hoping Christene fro The Great Wall Of Lutz (gardening blog) comes along to tell me what this is.
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Frilly and VERY Purple Flowers
These lovely flowes are growing on vines that have covered a wrought iron arbor.
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Butterfly Conservatory Cafe Seating
There’s also a covered porch to sit a spell with your coffee. I hear the maniacal chattering of woodpeckers…
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Accidental Stop at Butterfly Garden in Fort Myers
Subtitled – What To Do When Your Morning Is A Bust!
I decided that I would do my daily walk/run in Centennial Park this morning. The river would serve as a refreshing change of scenery for me. Since the City of Fort Myers Utilities office is on the way, I thought I’d make a pitstop there and pay my (unbelieveably outlandish for one person) water bill.
Well, it’s Martin Luther King Day and the Utilities office is closed. Ok, on to the park.
Well, it’s Martin Luther King day, and there’s a parade blocking the route.
Ok – weaving in and out the streets of unfamiliar territory, I spotted this place – a butterfly conservatory, gift shop and cafe live here. Thought I’d get some coffee and wait out the parade so I could continue on to the park.
I now have coffee and it’s starting to rain. Guess I’ll just tour the conservatory/greenhouse, go back home and fire up the treadmill. I will send some pics if I see anything fun or interesting, but honestly, butterflies are notorious for not staying still for very long…
As for the water bill and the park – there’s always tomorrow! 🙂
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The Yellow Rat Snake
Before he swam away, I was able to snap a few pictures of the yellow rat snake I encountered in the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers, Florida. January 15th 2011
This walk is too short!
I really like the slough but it’s too short. Need more options – might head for Collier’s swamp one of these days
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Mistletoe growing in a laurel oak
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