SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE BEACH WITH PAUL AND JANET

This small beach in Sanibel is bordered by small trees and coconut palms, and is usually quiet and peaceful during weekdays. It faces West, so we get natural shade in the afternoon and can enjoy the seabird, porpoises and the abundant fish in the water that they feed on.

We brought chairs and folding tables and had a snack at the beach while watching quite a show by the pelicans diving in formation at the boiling sea full of fish.

Our beach looks towards the high bridge to Fort Myers Beach and is within a short walk of the historic Sanibel lighthouse built in 1884. Nearby is the historic site of the fishing camp operated by Cuban fishermen from the1690's until the late 1890's.

SUNSET OVER TARPON BAY - FLORIDA

While my brother, Paul and sister-in-law, Janet visited us, we were fortunate to see this lovely sunset on Tarpon Bay during our eco-tour at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

The four of us enjoying our tour of Tarpon Bay.

FORT MYERS BEACH AND SANIBEL WITH PAUL AND JANET

Enjoying the pier at Ft. Myers Beach Janet and Paul. We took the trolley from nearby Gulf Waters RV Resort and was dropped off at the north end of the island at Bowditch County Park where we enjoyed a beach walk to the pier at "Times Square"--named such for being the hub of the strand at Ft. Myers Beach.

Along our walk, we saw this working fishing boat and many seabirds.

On Sanibel Island at the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, we took a late afternoon tour in the bay where we saw many seabirds coming to roost for the evening in the mangroves. Prior to our eco-tour, we were at the learning hands-on tanks to become familiar with the residents of the bay and Gulf.

Our tour guide was excellent at helping us discover the different birds and their habits.

Egrets, Cormorants, Pelicans, Seagulls, among other residents getting ready to bed down for the night on this sandbar. Most of the birds were sitting in the tops of the mangroves.

All the little white dots you see in this mangrove area are the seabirds settling in for the night.