Day 38 Captiva 2019

Tuesday, Mar 12
Al was up early as usual, but I did not get up until 8. My plan was to leave early for to do birding at Bunche Beach before the crowd arrived but that did not happen.  When we left traffic was backed up coming into Sanibel and was bumper to bumper beyond the Causeway bridge.  When we arrived at Bunche Beach the parking was already full near the beach.. We passed on the long walk to beach but made some photos of birds including ibis and one young roseate spoonbill under a bridge.

We then went to Sanibel Outlets to shop.  Al bought a new gray fleece 20% off, chambray shorts 25% off and I got a short sleeve chambray shirt at the Ralph Lauren shop. Al bought a belt at Tommy Hilfiger shop 40% off.
We stopped at Causeway Beach for a picnic lunch that I had packed.  Had a nice table in the shade. lot of people at the beaches here.  When we left from Ft Myers, traffic was still bumper to bumper going over the bridge but by the time we finished lunch the traffic was back to normal going into Sanibel.

We made a stop at Pond Apple Trail (1:30) using the entrance by Matzaluna.  No sign of the iguana, but the red head ducks was still there sitting on the bank.  Saw Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Mottled Ducks, Snowy egrets, great egrets, one Great Blue, one Green Heron, and Gallinules.

Back to the cottage to spend time at the pool.  

For dinner I baked baked Red Snapper over a layer of lemon slices seasoned with paprika, salt and pepper served with herbed butter with fresh rosemary, and sides of sauteed zucchini with red peppers, couscous, and tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and basil.  Dessert tonight was Bailey's Tiramisu.

Day 25 Captiva

 We left around 9am to go to Ft Myers to visit Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve which is  over 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a Boardwalk trail and Interpretive Center. The cypress slough catches and slowly filters rainwater on its way towards Estero Bay. 

Map of the Trail

At the amphitheater area we spotted a Great Egret nest across Gator Lake.

There appeared to be some young in the nest and there were 3 or more adults in the area.

 

There were turtles and cormorants on the platforms in the lake.

No sign of any alligators.

Several  herons were in this area.

And anhinga...

On the way to the Wood Duck Pond, we saw some wild pigs running beneath the boardwalk.

One Little Black Pig

 One Little Brown Pig

Captured more of the pigs on video.
To view videos, go to blog by clicking link at bottom of email.  Click arrows on video:

We did not see much at Wood Duck Pond but we saw some interesting turtles and a green heron at Otter Pond.   We had been told that there was a Limpkin with 2 baby Limpkins by Otter Pond but we did not see anything of them.  I just happened to photograph the Green Heron below when I was looking for the family.

 

Other views of the slough:

We made another stop at the observation deck at the amphitheater on the way back and lucked out to see a Limpkin who was eating apple snails and partly hidden by reeds.

 After seeing the Limpkin eating snails,  we ate our picnic lunch at the area near the parking lot.

We then shopped at Publix for groceries and stopped at the Polo Shop at Sanibel Outlets and bought  5 items -2 shirts, sleep shorts, socks, and after shave. 

The drive back to Captiva was smooth going our way but traffic was backed up bumper to bumper across the Causeway with cars and trucks leaving Sanibel.

For dinner, we had salmon broiled with mustard sauce served with green beans and broiled tomatoes with parmesan cheese.  Nice finish to a busy and active day.