A nice side trip from Siesta Bay RV Resort is the J.N. Ding Darling 
Visiting wildlife refuges is a past time I will always enjoy going back to my roots of having studied Wildlife Biology back in college. I am always curious to not only see the refuge and it flora and fauna but I am also curious to see how the refuge is being managed and maintained. While working for Texas Parks and Wildlife I was a Biologist responsible for maintaining the natural integrity of parkland ecosystems in the eastern half of the state of Texas.
We biked over for an afternoon of fun in the sun and a little bird watching. The nice white sandy beach is inviting for a stroll along the tidal wetlands of the park. With nearby metered parking and its proximity to the city there is always a mixture of “city folk” and retired “peeps” relaxing on the beach. As the Old Fat Man says we are just having tooooooo much fun…
NOTE: Hovering your mouse over a picture will identify what you are looking at and if you want to see a larger picture just click on the image…
Love Spoonbills - thanks for the pic.
ReplyDeleteWe are headed in the Direction the first of the year with no reservations anywhere..We do have a friend with RV hookups near Sanibel. If we cant find anything reasonable near the coast we will head inland. I love that area.
ReplyDeleteCant wait to walk Venice beach to find sharks teeth.
Thanks for the tips on places to visit. We haven't been to this area for a long time, and are looking for some natural places that aren't so "touristy."
ReplyDeleteWe arrived in North Fort Myers yesterday and did a run over to Fort Myers Beach. Of course it was rainy, windy and getting dark, but what we saw of the beach wasn't pretty and it was way too commercial.
We will definitely check out the places you mentioned. Keep the suggestions coming!
You might go to Corkscrew Swamp. We loved it the last time we visited and intend to go back this trip. It's worth the $10 price tab.
looks like another wonderful beach area to visit, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhen I visit a NWR, I first do it as a tourist. Then, I wonder if there is something I could do there to help their mission.
ReplyDeleteWow. Small world. Once upon a time we paid a visit to the J.N. Ding Darling Refuge. What a name! Hard to forget that one.
ReplyDeleteSo happens that we DROVE to Florida for a couple weeks with another couple. (from Burlington, Ontario). Stayed at a place on Sanibel. (Methinks it was April of '98, but that part too is a little sketchy). Some of us wanted to fly and rent a car, but one person in the crowd didn't want to fly. Too nervous.
(rolls eyes)
It's been a few years but she's gotten over that fear. (or she'd be out of a job?)
We still have all the seashells. Amazing place.
Have fun!
Great photos and info. Interesting to hear your background too.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Jo Beth and Grace - Spoonbills are one of our faves too...
ReplyDeleteDawn Fine - we have Decmeber booked but still don't know what we will do after the first and like you if we have to we will head inland\
Karen and Al - you will like these two areas - far less touristy than North Fort Myers - what park are you staying at? will check out Corkscrew Swamp when we move south from here...
George and Suzie Yates you said it!!!
Judy and Emma - admirable Judy... one day when I am ready to stop the vacation mode I will convert more to your ways...
Bob - yes the name is a mouthful...
Janie and John - thanks for the comment... now my Biologist days were when I was right out of college later in life I got involved in the field of information technology...
I hope to live in such a place once I retire too. The fresh air would be really soothing and very relaxing. Living near the beach would be very helpful for a body that is getting older and older. I hope they have this kind of amenity in 55 retirement communities because this would be amazing.
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