Sanibel in the sunshine

 Sanibel Island, "the sea shell capitol of the world", is a place to which I could return time and again.  On our second visit we located the typical daily crowds as we first toured the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Many birds winter in the region.

Chris, Darla, and I have spotted my favorite wading bird through the brush. What could it be?

In the distance was a rookery of roseatte spoonbills busily building nests. We could not get as close as we would have liked.

 This great blue heron seemed frozen in time and undisturbed by the many tourists snapping his photo.

 The bay had so many various species and the birds of a feather do flock together. This was a gathering of white pelicans which are quite rare.  They come down from Canada for the winter and are the largest bird, second to the California Condor.

We stopped at blind pass on Captiva Island and enjoyed the white sand and loads of seashells. Captiva is just north of Sanibel and joined by a bridge over the pass. It is a little difficult to walk barefoot on the beach with so many seashells.

 Chris, Darla, and I got in a little reading time in the sunshine.

The sun was bright but the wind was still a little chilly as the day wore on and we wore down.

We arrived at Fort Meyers Beach just in time for a magnificent sunset. The rows of condos catch the late  afternoon glow.

Mary and Chris waited patiently in front of the sand dunes for the last glimpse of the setting sun as it set on another fine day in south Florida.