Well, things started out ok. Jacky, Ben and I were in the living room when Maggie starts calling my name, telling me to hurry! So I run to the bedrooms where Maggie is pointing out our sliding door. First let me tell you we have a slough in our backyard. Big banyan trees, pond, turtles....and today there he was, our alligator! Yep, we looked all over the county for a good view of an alligator and instead he comes right to us. He was about 20 feet from our sliding door, floating in the pond. I hurried out to get a picture and the owner, Mark, who was there working on another cabin, led me to the back so I could really get up and personal. Thanks Mark! He was big enough, about 6 ft. Mark didn't like it that the gator did not try to move away from us at all. He'll have to keep an eye on him. I think we will all keep our eyes out FOR him!
This is our view out our sliding door...
That's quite an energizing start to the day. I thought we'd try for a cruise through the mangroves looking at the bird rookery, dolphins, manatees. There is a place right next to the Ding Darling Refuge that I tried calling. Wouldn't you know it, they are connected to the National Refuge so they also are closed until the government gets their act together. Strike one for the day.
Ok, let's try to go to Jensen's Marina on Captiva. They advertise that the Manatees are often seen off their dock. Ok, we'll give it a whirl...
Well, obviously we should be looking out for them!
Maggie, Ben and Jacky are trying but not having any luck...
This is the closest I may come this trip to 'Barbara Manatee' (veggitales). Strike 2 for the day.
Next, let's try the Sanibel historical village. Finally find it (really, the island's not that big). Of course, it is closed until November. We are in their slow season I guess. Strike 3.
I know, let's go to the beach and shell. I've even got Jacky looking for shells, although he doesn't know what he's looking for really, but he trys, for me ;-)
Oh, more excitement! There are dolphins feeding just off shore!!! Again, we've gone all over and finally find them on our private beach.
Maggie wants to swim with the dolphins so they tentatively walk out in the water. Ben steps on a ray and kind of loses his cool for a minute. That must have been freaky - your floor starts moving under your foot. Kind of like an escalator! I think I would have vacated the water! possibly for the rest of the trip...
Where did the dolphins go?
There's always birds though on the shore. Here's Ruddy Turnstones -
Maggie decided to take a break from shelling. Her creative side was calling!
Another large rain cloud is moving our way. We decide to pack up and head to Blind Pass where Sanibel and Captiva come together. This is where the big shells are supposed to be found. There's still 2 hours until low tide and the rain will just pass through quickly, right?.......
I have no more pictures of the day since the downpour started and I literally couldn't see to get back to the car. It didn't stop either. Absolutely and completely soaked, the four of us headed back to the cottage so I could make porcupines. Sadly, there is no sunset picture to end my post tonight. :-(
Instead I'll finish with a picture of one of the biggest grasshoppers you will ever see - about 4 inches long. He decided to join us at the beach, before all the rain hit. Or maybe he was looking for an ark to keep him safely dry...
Footnote. Maggie decided we should name our alligator "Manatee". Then we can say we've seen alligators and "Manatee". Clever girl.
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