Sanibel Island

We had a great second day on Sanibel Island today.  We started off the day with shelling on Bownman's Beach on the north end of the island at low tide around 8:30 am after a quick breakfast and one cup of coffee.  It was breezy, almost windy.  Lots of shells, but not a lot that we haven't seen before.  Still, Pam carried on and brought back a bunch of shells.  While she shelled, I photographed.

A shot of some of the shells piled up on the beach.  There were lots to sift through.  But we weren't alone on the beach.  There were probably about a dozen other folks looking as well.

One of the wading birds that I found having breakfast.

After shelling, we came back to the cottage for a quick second cup of coffee and off we went to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.  We took the wildlife drive through the park.  It is about 6 miles.  Lots of places to pull over.  We stopped several times.  Jumped out, set up my tripod, and shot the scene.  Pam was shooting as well.  We ran into several birders and other photographers who had much nicer lenses.  I will get there someday!

After Ding Darling, we came home to shower before heading to Port Charlotte to meet my Aunt Grace for lunch.  The last time I saw her was when we were living in Groton, MA back in the early 1970's.  Her husband passed away just a few months after moving to Port Charlotte, a victim of cancer.  However, she decided she was going to carry on with her life and is doing well.

After lunch, I set up my aunt's new cable box to save her the aggravation and cost of having Comcast install it.  They told her it would only take 5 minutes.  NOT!

When I was done with the install, we said our goodbyes and headed to Pine Island.  Lovely place!  Not built up at all.  Agriculture based.  Lots of palm nurseries and forestry.  But two very nice small towns on each end of the island.  Some good restaurants.  Basic necessities.  Looks like a good place to vacation for peace, quiet and the beauty.

Tomorrow, we leave for Anna Maria Island north of here on the other side of Port Charlotte.

You can see all of my Sanibel Island photos at the following links in Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldiming/sets/72157629764134022/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldiming/sets/72157629775293672/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldiming/sets/72157629825883144/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldiming/sets/72157629870163112/