Walk #15

(As always, click on a photo for a larger view.)

We have had rain off and on for the last couple of days and nights. For that reason, we got an email from our Permittee last night telling us, if it was raining this morning to just wait until it stopped and do our ‘Turtle Walk’ after.

It rained again at times during the night, with a pretty heavy rain and thunder going on when it was time to get ready this morning. After checking the weather online, it seemed like the best idea was to go wait at the starting point and as soon as the rain stopped, make a dash for the beach and hurry around our zone, before the next clouds came.

At 6:30 the rain stopped and we started off in a hurry. The eastern sky looked pretty with the dark clouds hiding the sun. It was still dark enough out, that you could still see lights shining from Ft. Myers beach. The western sky was all dark with clouds coming our way.

With trash bags in hand and an umbrella under my arm, we hurried as fast as we could walk. It was getting light out very quickly, making it possible now to see quite a few people on the beach near the light house area.





The tide was in and up rather high, the waves made a nice soothing sound, as did the birds. There was no air moving at all, making it feel very warm and humid.





We were hurrying along, grabbing up bottles and cans, then found a large hole in the sand with these little beach shoes sitting beside it.





Just a little further on, near the water, this critter was lying in wait. I think it must be a sea serpent of some sort that was left by the now receding tide. :-)





As we neared the public beach parking area, I found a pamper lying in the sand near the dunes. (Picture me sadly shaking my head here.) Now I ask you, if you can pick it up and carry it to the grass, why couldn’t you put it in a trash can?

Just beyond that was a wet, sandy towel laying in the bottom of a hole. I picked it up and hung it on a post by a beach access, just in case it belonged to someone up further on the beach. But, I seriously doubted that. It will probably be waiting for the person doing the turtle walk in the morning. I doubt if anyone else will take the initiative to move it to a trash can before then. It’s really sad when you see so many people on the beach and they all seem to be oblivious to the trash left around them. No matter where we go on the beach, if I see trash, I pick it up. It only makes sense, that if you want a beautiful, clean place to go; you have to help keep it that way. But, it is a shame that each of us, who care, have to clean up after lazy -----. (Sorry ‘bout that! Just couldn’t hold it in.)






Well, what can I say? The babies’ lazy mother strikes again! Now it’s time to go to a dumpster in the parking lot to throw away two bags of trash. I don’t believe that the people actually vacationing on this island are the ones leaving the majority of trash; more likely people coming to the first public beach on the island for the day and some who like to come here at night to party on the beach near this parking area. I never see trash like this anywhere else on our beaches.





We have been meeting or passing folks on the beach that had that ‘Sanibel Stoop’ thing going on. I’m not sure what they are looking at though, because there are hardly any shells at all, only a few white ark shells. To be called the ‘Shelling Capitol of the World’; shells have been a little scarce lately.








I took this picture of a man who had just set up his tripod and camera, just as he turned to look at me. Oops, I hope he didn’t mind.




Several people had their cameras and were taking pictures of the clouded sky. I walked right behind this lady to pick up the can you can see lying there, and she turned to smile at me after we started walking again.




The sky looked almost like a water color painting, as we checked the third and only turtle nest left in our zone. It looked undisturbed. The other two nests have hatched. The first nest had 113 hatched and the second nest had 136.

As we walked behind the light house, I wondered how long that little weather station had been on top of the tower. Strange I had never noticed it before.

The people, who live in the two historic houses next to the light tower, are very fortunate to have this view to enjoy each morning. Who could resist sitting out on a porch, drinking coffee for way too long every day?

The sun was finally beginning to peek out. There’s also a bird sitting on the tip of a limb waiting for the sun to dry its feathers.

As I turned to start walking again, I spotted a heron and an egret, walking in the water. Some other birds were flying around a school of fish. I guess that is like…..getting breakfast ready? The highest section of the Sanibel Causeway is in the background.

The night heron standing beside the fishing pier, obviously hasn’t noticed it isn’t night anymore.

After picking up lots of trash around the pier and throwing it in the trash cans, we walked back onto the beach to what looked like an explosion in the sky, just over the heads of the campers.

Yes, that’s right; the same campers are back again, with even more people, tents, chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and fishermen. I suppose that will also generate more trash. We had already picked up 6 empty beer bottles thrown down, right before passing their camp and 3 more bottles right after.

I think they remembered me asking them nicely to please pick up their trash before they left, the last time I saw them there, because after we passed they started laughing. Well, you know the saying, what goes around comes around; you reap what you sow, etc, etc.

Two of the campers came out of the bushes just after we passed by. There was a whole row of egrets at water’s edge, maybe waiting for fish to escape the fishermen’s cast nets.

After that encounter, it was really calming to see three beautiful egrets, standing in the water.

I made my last look back toward the sunny clouds, because we had to leave the beach one access from where we usually do, Sea Grape. Wow, the clouds are beautiful!

This was the reason we are leaving the beach at this access. The beach is blocked off because the huge rocks are being moved from the home owner’s yard.

OK, so we didn’t get to see a new turtle nest on our walk, but as we turned away from the beach, we saw a turtle. That’s right, a turtle! All is not lost, after all; or is it?

Yes, I had to look back again, couldn’t stop myself.

Just up the street, (that I hadn’t been on before), I noticed some different looking cactus plants. One looked like its flower buds were Hershey’s kisses and the flowers were star shaped. I have to look that up, ‘cause I want one!

Where this street met Periwinkle Way, there was a tree just begging to have its picture taken.

We had just made it back to where we began, when it started pouring down rain again. Now that’s what I call good luck!

Until next week…..

To answer some questions that were brought up in comments and emails I received after this post:

Yes, it is illegal to camp on Sanibel beaches, plus their vehicles have to be illegally parked also, if they're there over night. Below is a short piece of the Sanibel Code:

Sec. 42-2. Sleeping overnight, camping or temporarily residing prohibited; exceptions.
(a) Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to temporarily reside, camp or sleep overnight in any place within the city except in a lawfully existing-use mobile home park or a recognized dwelling unit under the Sanibel Plan. For the purposes of this section, sleeping overnight, camping or temporarily residing shall include but not be limited to sleeping in the open, in sleeping bags or tents and in or on any motor vehicle.
(b) Presumption of violation. The occupancy of any parked motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. shall be presumed to be in violation of this section.
(c) Exception at residences. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the owner of a recognized dwelling unit or other person with such owner's consent may camp or sleep overnight, defined as sleeping in the open, in sleeping bags or tents, but not including in or on any motor vehicle or recreational vehicle, on the immediate lot or parcel of such owner's dwelling unit for temporary and infrequent periods of time for recreational camping purposes.
(d) Exception for special permission. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any person involved in a recognized scientific study may apply to the city manager or his designated representative for permission to encamp at or near site of the scientific study. Such permission may be granted for a limited period of time. Civic, scouting and similar groups and organizations shall also be permitted to encamp at designated locations and for limited periods of time upon securing written permission from the city manager or his designated representative, which shall state the time and place such camping is authorized and such other conditions as may be necessary.

The other question was if Pampers are bio-degradable. We looked that one up and they are, but just plan on them being around for about 25 years. They do have a brand that will take less time, but I haven't seen any of those on the beach. And of course that only brings up the question of: Do you really think it would matter to the people leaving them in the sand anyway? I don't think so.

Did you know?

From the time hatchlings leave the nest, up to 24 to 72 hours after entering the ocean, hatchlings remain in a state often referred to as frenzy. During this period, they remain in a swimming state. It has been suggested that this may serve to get the hatchlings away from shore and coastal predators, out to deeper waters. Very little is known about sea turtles from the point that hatchlings enter the ocean until at least 20 years later when the females become sexually mature and come ashore again to nest.

FedEx to deliver 2 Fla. turtles

Special delivery

This story isn't connected to Sanibel in any way, but I found it interesting because it is a cute story.

Two, almost 4 year old, green sea turtles were raised from eggs at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL. The pair, named Righty and Lefty, are being moved to The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut.

They are to be transported by FedEx and should arrive in CT on Friday.

Follow the link to read the, why and how, in full detail: http://www.wflxfox29.com/Global/story.asp?S=8806419&nav=menu98_3

Sanibel Sea School

I imagine most of you have heard about the Sanibel Sea School. But, how much do you really know about the organization and what its purpose is? I honestly didn't know that much about it, until I saw graffiti around Sanibel last week. These chalk drawings of sea turtles and sea turtle facts made me curious. I asked someone about it and they said that it was done by the Sanibel Sea School; last week was their 'Sea Turtle Week'. So of course, I had to check it out.



The Sanibel Sea School is a non-profit foundation started by Bruce and Evelyn Neill to promote marine conservation; through research and education. They are dedicated to teach children and adults about marine ecosystems.


Operating expenses are covered by tuition for the different programs, by grants and by donations. Donations are needed and appreciated.



You can learn more about the Sea School on their informative website and also a Blog that shares stories and pictures of the different field trips, etc.

There was also a very nice story about the Sea School and the Neills on CBS Early Show, just this past week. You can watch the video on the CBS News site.

Loggerhead Turtle Makes Daytime Visit

After reading an article about a Loggerhead Turtle making a daytime visit to a beach at St. George Island, FL, to lay eggs; I wanted to share it with the rest of you. It’s a cute story that lets you know; it only takes one look at a Loggerhead, up close and personal, to capture your heart.

It is only my personal opinion, but I think the more people are able to interact with the sea turtles, the more they will be interested in helping make changes to protect them.




There was another interesting article about Jekyll Island's $3 million turtle center, a restored 1903 power plant. Turtle Center provides care for sick and injured sea turtles. One part of the center is a veterinary clinic, where visitors get a close look at the turtles and see them being treated in round, open-air tanks. Staffers are on hand to answer questions and give patient updates (which also can be found on their Web site).
There are educational programs for kids and adults throughout the year. In summer months, nightly beach walks with staffers can be scheduled.
Each year about 230 sea turtles wash ashore along the Georgia coast. Most of the turtles are dead. The few found alive are often sick, diseased or have been seriously wounded by boats.
It would certainly be a great place to visit.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Turtle Center's Blog

Walk #14

The sun is coming up a little later each week, so this morning at 6:00 AM, there was still plenty of time for a stop at 7/11 for coffee first.

It was barely getting light out when we started. There was a dim pink glow just beginning. I could see the light house beacon blinking as I looked through the trees.

The temperature seemed very warm and there wasn't any wind blowing as we crossed over the boardwalk, but the palm fronds were blowing. I suppose we just weren't getting any of that air between the trees.

As we walked out onto the beach, we were met by a very pleasant breeze. There didn’t seem to be many people out yet. I could only see one person walking, further west and one person walking east.




The waves were pretty small this morning and didn’t appear to be bringing in any shells. All I saw were a few scattered ark shells. There were very few birds on the beach this morning. I guess food was a little scarce today.

I had gotten used to looking at the two nests just after beginning the walk. Today there was only one there and it had already hatched too. I wondered if there were any little turtles in there waiting to get out. Someone will go there in the morning to dig the nest, and then we will find out.

It was beginning to get a little lighter out and I could see a man standing with a coffee cup in his hand, looking for the sun to peep out. It was a little cloudy so there wasn’t going to be a pretty sunrise.




There was a lot of sand art left on the beach this morning. The first was a little puzzling; I couldn’t decide if it was a castle, a fort, or a birthday cake.




The second one was a little replica of a castle. Someone had spent the time to do a lot of detail work on it, which doesn’t show up in the picture very well.


I’m not sure what the next one was, maybe an Indian village? It had welcome written with shells, and the whole thing was bordered with sea grass.



Just a little further on, there was an enclosed parking area with a truck parked in it.



The next sand art seemed to be a wall; I’m not sure what it was supposed to be.



I just happened to look up to see a man sitting on the fence of a beach access. He had a camera with a large lens and seemed to be getting focused for a sunrise picture. I think he had to wait a long time for that shot.




We both already had a trash bag full, so we walked up to the public parking area to throw them in the dumpster. We had only just got back out on the beach, when we saw a pile of something sitting a little further on. But first, we had a few more items to pick up; a plastic sand shovel, several empty water bottles, a bread wrapper with left over sandwich pieces in it, chips, ants, ants, and more ants!

Then we got to the pile, and what a mess that was! A whole plastic grocery bag full of empty beer bottles, another bag full of trash and soda cans, another box that was full of left over picnic items, like chicken wings, chicken bones, partially eaten bags of chips and you guessed it, more ants! We both had our hands full and we each had to hold one end of the box together to get it all the way over to the dumpster by the light house. We nearly needed a pack horse for that job.

We walked back out onto the beach, picked up a little more trash, and then went to check out the last turtle nest. It seemed to be just fine.

We were surprised to see that we could walk part of the way around the tip of the island today, although it was a tight squeeze in a few places. We did have to take just a short detour in one spot.

Just at the end of the detour, as we came back out between the trees an osprey was taking flight with a big fish. I’m not sure who startled who, more.




Four men in a fishing boat seemed to be enjoying their early morning adventure.


Your guess is as good as mine on this treasure. Did this Georgia peach float all the way here, or did a bird drop it? I guess we’ll never know the answer to that one!



If you are taking a walk on the beach at night, between the fishing pier and the light house, be careful or you could run into some of the many roots that are partially buried in the sand. Believe me, they can sure do some damage to your shins.




Just past the fishing pier, a Snowy Egret was standing on top of a pile of sea grass, sort of like it was on a pedestal, standing patiently while I took its picture.

Next was the Great Blue Heron that seems to always be there waiting for us to pass by.




There was a lot of sea grass on the beach again today.

The campers were nowhere in sight this morning. They had not left any trash around, except for a couple of plastic cups and the usual deco scattered around in the bushes. GRRR!







We began seeing more shells for a little way, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Looking out across the water, you could still see clouds hiding the sunrise.



An anchored sailboat was a nice photo opportunity with the highest span of the causeway in the background.




As we walked past the big rocks piled at the water’s edge, there was a loader and a bobcat sitting in the homeowner’s yard. So I guess their project of moving the rock is about to begin.

When reaching the spot where we leave the beach, I looked back to see if the sun had come out of hiding yet, but it hadn’t.

It seemed like everyone’s sprinklers were on as we walked up the street, making everything in the yards look sparkling clean. I paused to take a look at another gated entrance, carved into the tall hedges.


I took a picture of this tree with the red flower spikes on it, so I could look it up to find out the name of it. I’ve seen several big, beautiful ones around the island and have been curious.

This is what I found out: It is a Schefflera; sometimes called an Umbrella tree or an Octopus Tree. Unfortunately, this Schefflera is also on Florida's "Don't Plant" list of nuisance trees. Schefflera is a nuisance for three reasons:

It seeds itself very easily causing Schefflera to grow where no one wants a large tree.
Roots are strong, aggressive and can take over much of the surrounding soil.
Schefflera sheds leaves constantly creating a littered appearance below.

What a shame, I really liked that tree.

When we arrived back at our starting point, I could see the sun shining between the trees, so we’ll have a sunny day after all.

Until next time……


Did you know?

Loggerhead sea turtles are well adapted to life at sea, with long flippers and special glands so they can drink salt water. Some people think that when they lay eggs, they shed ‘Mother’s Tears’, but in fact she is just secreting salt that accumulates in her body.

They are relatively slow swimmers but will put on a burst of speed when threatened. (The largest natural threat to them at sea is sharks and killer whales).

Sea turtles cannot withdraw their heads into their shells; the adults are protected from predators by their shells, large size and thick scaly skin on their heads and necks.