Day 33 on Captiva

Today we started with a walk in Bailey Tract after early coffee and pastries.  We arrived at the tract about 8:30 on a warm and sunny morning.  We spotted only a few birds including a pair of Blue-winged Teals sleeping on the water who woke for photos and an Eastern Kingbird.

 

 

We spotted some alligators throughout the tract, a popular sight with the hikers.

 

 

We thought a Blue Heron (white phase) was in danger as he was feeding very close to an

alligator who was in the water nearby but nothing happened as we stood and watched.

Alligator on the left and Heron facing him on the right.

 

The last alligator of the day on a spot near the tract.

 

We stopped at Over Easy Café for breakfast after our walk through the tract.

 

 

We grabbed a seat at the counter to avoid a long wait for a table.  Al ordered Egg Reuben sandwich on a bagel topped with 1000 Island dressing, grilled corned beef, fried egg and Swiss cheese  and potatoes.  I had traditional Egg Benedict with a toasted English muffin  topped with grilled Canadian bacon, 2 poached eggs  and Hollandaise sauce  served with grits.   This was the most perfect eggs Benedict that I have ever had. 

 

 We spent the beautiful afternoon at the beach soaking in the sun and surf.

 

For dinner I prepared Triple Tail Milanese ......this is a delicious fish and so easy to prepare.  Simply flour with seasonings,  dip in egg, panko crumbs and sauté about 3-4 min on each side.  Serve with lemon sauce.  We enjoyed with asparagus and salad.

Day 11 on Captiva

We started early this morning...early coffee and pastry and off to the Bailey Tract by 8:30 for birding and walking the tract.  We saw pied billed grebes, coots and blue winged  teals  along with great egrets, blue herons and other shore birds.  A lone wood stork was feeding with the egret.  A young alligator was spotted along the walk beyond the bridge area.  A snipe has been reported at the tract but we did not see any signs of him.

 

We then stopped at Over Easy for some lunch.  Al had lox layered with tomato, onion, capers served with toasted bagel and cream cheese,  I ordered half a tomato stuffed with Albacore tuna salad.  This is a busy place but service is quick and pleasant.                                       



We then stopped at Bailey's for some supplies  and at the  Fish Market at Timbers for Mussels and Steaks (for Valentine's Night). 

We spent another afternoon at the beach sunning and relaxing.

 

For dinner I prepared steamed mussels in a light tomato/wine Italian sauce served over spaghetti and  with a   mixed green salad.   This is one of my favorite recipes for mussels and have made  many years.  Goes great with a glass or two of wine of your choice.

Day 5 on Captiva

Early up this morning for coffee and toast. Al has an appointment with a massage therapist in Sanibel at 9AM.  He has been suffering with pain in his left shoulder from either a torn muscle or rotator cuff injury  (He probably hurt it sawing up a 20+ foot limb that fell from one of our trees the week we left.)  The massage did help relieve some of the pain so we are glad that he went.
We then ate breakfast at Over Easy Cafe, a very popular local spot.  Al had his fave bagel and lox platter and I decided to try the French toast which I did not like....the batter was loaded with cinnamon, way too much for my taste.  Afterwards, we took a short hike through Bailey Tract, a favorite area for birding.   Since it was noon by now, we did not see many birds, just a few ducks including Moorhens and Pied-Billed Grebes and a couple Herons.
Next, we went to Bailey's General Store for some groceries and some fresh shrimp for dinner. And then we headed back to the house. Relaxed the afternoon away.



Tonight, I prepared one of Al's favorites - Shrimp Puttanesca over Linguine - a spicy dish with anchovies, garlic, Greek olives, red pepper flakes, capers and tomatoes.  Served this with green salads, hot rolls,glasses of wine.  Bon Appetit!  I must say that we both enjoyed dinner.

For future reference:
Massage- Charlene Black
 2400 Palm Ridge Rd