Title reference, I quote from a NWR website:
\ ˈɡɛt jʊr ɡus ɒn \ v1:
The act of hiking, bird watching, fishing, and otherwise experiencing with childlike wonder America’s great outdoors at National Wildlife Refuges across America.
Um, I think I might resemble that remark. In case, dear readers, you haven’t figured it out by now, I kind of like birds. In fact, I have a particular affection for wading birds. Which makes the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, particularly at this time of year, a little bit of heaven on earth. Our first visit was with friends Teresa and Dave who were visiting from central Ohio. We made a second visit with our way-better-birders-than-us friends Bob and Donna who were also down from Ohio with camping gear, a canoe and several cameras. For those who know them, make them show you their sure-to-be-awesome photos. For the rest of you, you’ll have to settle for mine below. Both visits were phenomenal. Most of the photos below are from our second visit when I remembered to bring the “zoomy” camera.
The Ding Darling refuge is located on Sanibel Island, a barrier island near the Ft Myers area. Described on their website as “part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States, it is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations”; I promise you they’re not exaggerating. Thanks to Ding for his dedication to conservation and for helping to save yet another important ecological area from development. And for creating the very cool National Wildlife Refuge symbol that’s in use still today.
In addition to the Wildlife Drive and its mini-hikes, we also had an opportunity to paddle a bit. Bonus: Bob’s National Parks Senior Pass not only got us into the Refuge for free, but scored us a 50% discount at the paddle launch (for which there was a fee, even though we had our own boats, no worries.) The Commodore Creek (paddle) Trail from Tarpon Bay was a lovely paddle through the mangroves, though short in length and time as we were pushing closing time. A return visit (our first was with friends Dave and Teresa a few days earlier) to Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille was a nice end to the day. For those who read, Doc Ford is a major character in Randy Wayne White‘s series of mystery novels set in the area.
A few days later, the four of us headed out again, earlier in the day this time, from an unimproved (translate: free, more remote) launch site at Sirenia Vista State Park for a delightful paddle in the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve and Matlacha National Wildlife Area. I was reluctant to take my “zoomy” camera, but my Lifeproof-covered iPhone made for a handy navigation tool in a wet kayak. For those who paddle and are interested in visiting the area, be sure to check out the Great Calusa Blueway. Could keep us busy here for a while.
After paddling, we took a bit of a stroll around nearby Matlacha (introduced to us by friends Glen and Paula), including a bite of ice cream at Great Licks. Back in Cape Coral, we briefly checked out the Taste of the Cape event at Four Freedoms Park… a well attended (translate: crowded) and pricey opportunity to sample fare from the local restaurants, complete with craft beer… but decided to pass. Instead we had a fun and yummy meal at Ford’s Garage in Cape Coral. The website is cool, but you’ll have to visit in person to check out the “fluid disposal area”.
So, all friends/visitors have returned to the Great White North. I’ve been excused from jury duty. All options are open. Stay tuned.
If I only had a BB gun……….
You are a bad boy, Stevie. I do think you would enjoy the Edison & Ford Estates though, if you’ve not been.
I am sure I would, the photos looked like fun.
Stevie, your name also came up while we were dining at Ford’s Garage. See Bob for photos.
Yay no jury duty :). Love the pictures! Kyle took ornithology in high school and college and absolutely loves birds, too. If he tells me one more time that the bird I am hearing in the trees is a “tufted tit-mouse” I might lose my mind.
We had a great time exploring the area with you guys!
Indeed! We’re just sorry you had to return to the Great White North. Looking forward to posts of springtime in central Ohio.