BAREFOOT BEACH

Barefoot beach is in a pristine area. Since it is a State Beach, there are no commercial buildings or homes in sight. Behind the beach are mangroves and other native plants and flowers.

Gopher turtles can be found in the parking lots, near the concession stand, near the outdoor museum, and this guy was a little confused. He was out on the white sand beach, but heading towards the ocean. A staff member picked him up and returned him to the plant side of the beach. Gopher turtles, as this one should know, cannot swim, and if it had made it to the water, most likely would have drowned.

This is that same Gopher turtle after it was returned to its nesting area. It is hiding a big dug out area that is home.

Driftwood along the beach. Pictures do not do this white, white sand beach justice.

Earlier in the day, it was a little cool at the beach, but the day was beautiful.

There were large areas of shells that were in really good shape as there are not many people along this two-mile strand of beach.

This bird caught a shell with food inside it. It was doing all sorts of things to crack the shell open.

Walter with this beautiful beach as background.

BAREFOOT BLVD NEIGHBORHOOD

We had a hard time finding Barefoot Beach because we couldn't believe that the way to get to the State Beach was through this Bonita Springs gated community. Unusual!

First, we drove by these beautiful high-rise condos with great screened-in porches overlooking the Gulf.

This is a community of condos with numerous tennis courts and marinas.

We then pass by these unbelievable large homes were the streets are made of pavers.

One of the tennis courts near the condos and homes.

More amazing homes.

And, more amazing homes.

SNOWY EGRET AT SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE BEACH

We were at a Sanibel beach near the historic lighthouse and found ourselves surrounded by about 12 photographers from a photography club. They were at the island to photograph the birds, and the birds were putting on quite a show.

This Snowy Egret obliged by giving quite a grand photo op for about 20 minutes for the folks with large cameras.

The Snowy Egret has long silk-like strands that stand out from its neck and chest when a breeze blows. They also have these "silk threads" along their head, neck and tail feathers. It is quite a gorgeous view when the silk stands are blowing in the sea breezes.

On this piece of driftwood, the Snowy Egret spent about 10 minutes while the photographers were snapping pictures. It even let a few of them get as close as 4 feet away to take photos. Walter was able to get some nice photos from our little digital camera.

The Pelicans were involved in group fishing. They would lift off from the water, fly a circle around the area, and then in formation (like jets in a show) dive down as a group into the water and they always came up with their catch.

When the Pelicans are floating on the water, sometimes there are small birds that sit on their backs, and as soon as the Pelican drops some fish crumbs from their beak, these little fish get their meal.

VISITS TO MIAMI

About every month I go to Miami for a weekend to visit my mother and work with my brother on anything that needs to be done there.

My mother's neighborhood used to be at the edge of the Everglades 45 years ago when my father bought the house. Now it is surrounded by new neighborhoods sprawling in all directions. This is a picture looking across the street from my mother's front door.

Here is my mother reviewing the latest library book I was reading at the time. I think it was Overtreated - by Shannon Brownlee - an interesting book. The Fort Myers Lakes Regional library branch is within biking distance for us and has excellent computerized inter-library search and hold, Internet access to all services, and even downloadable media and eBooks.

My brother and I often go to the nearby Latin American Grill for a Cuban coffee - a "cafecito". It is the smoothest, tastiest espresso ever. Above my brother is browsing the Web with his new iPhone.

This is an excellent restaurant for Cuban food. The portions are large and the prices are amazingly low for the quality you get.