“At the lowest tide of the month, the Gulf of Mexico peels back from the shores of Sanibel Island to reveal its treasures…”
So begins a captivating article from Earther.Com entitled “The Secret Science of Shell Seeking” that we thought you’d enjoy!
Photo of mango tree at Andy’s house!
When life throws you a lemon,
throw it back and say
“I said I wanted a mango!”
“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”
– George Santayana
Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to Dina@OceansReach.com.
Today’s Guest Photographer: William Cameron
This Friday, June 8th, celebrate World Oceans Day at Ding Darling, where complimentary activities include a guided beach walk, upcycled crafts, and an assortment of fun and educational films.
Highlights of the special event will include earth-friendly, upcycled crafts to take home and a ranger-led beach walk and clean-up at the refuge’s Perry Tract, accessible from Gulfside City Park. All clean-up participants receive a 10 percent discount coupon for the Refuge Nature Store.
The store will host a special book-signing that day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with author Charles LeBuff, whose revised second edition of The Sea Turtles of Southwest Florida was released this year. He will also be signing copies of his other books, including Florida’s Crocodile and The Sanibel Island Lighthouse.
An “anti-plastic film festival” features four free film showings starting at 11 a.m. The first 50 attendees seated for the STRAWS film receive a free reusable stainless steel straw at the end of the airing.
“My interns and I decided to celebrate the day by drawing attention and educating people about the plight of plastic overload in our oceans,” said refuge conservation educator Sara Hallas, whose team is organizing the event.Below is the full schedule for ocean-friendly and free fun throughout the day:
9 a.m. – Free Beach Walk & Cleanup at Perry Tract (parking fees apply at Gulfside City Park)
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Free Make-and-Take Upcycled Crafts in the Visitor & Education Center
11 a.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film STRAWS (32 minutes)
12 p.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film Addicted to Plastic (53 minutes)
1:15 p.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (57 minutes)
2:30 p.m. – Free showing of the film Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? (45 minutes)
For more information on World Oceans Day at the Refuge, call 239-472-1100 or visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events .
The store will host a special book-signing that day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with author Charles LeBuff, whose revised second edition of The Sea Turtles of Southwest Florida was released this year. He will also be signing copies of his other books, including Florida’s Crocodile and The Sanibel Island Lighthouse.
An “anti-plastic film festival” features four free film showings starting at 11 a.m. The first 50 attendees seated for the STRAWS film receive a free reusable stainless steel straw at the end of the airing.
“My interns and I decided to celebrate the day by drawing attention and educating people about the plight of plastic overload in our oceans,” said refuge conservation educator Sara Hallas, whose team is organizing the event.Below is the full schedule for ocean-friendly and free fun throughout the day:
9 a.m. – Free Beach Walk & Cleanup at Perry Tract (parking fees apply at Gulfside City Park)
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Free Make-and-Take Upcycled Crafts in the Visitor & Education Center
11 a.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film STRAWS (32 minutes)
12 p.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film Addicted to Plastic (53 minutes)
1:15 p.m. – Free showing and brief discussion of the film Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (57 minutes)
2:30 p.m. – Free showing of the film Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? (45 minutes)
For more information on World Oceans Day at the Refuge, call 239-472-1100 or visit dingdarlingsociety.org/article
If you can’t make the Guinness World Record attempt that we highlighted yesterday, don’t fret, you can still celebrate seashells all summer long!
Make your reservation for a stay at Ocean’s Reach this summer and collect as many seashells as you’d like! When you’d like to learn more about the fascinating creatures that inhabit these shells, just plan to spend time with experts from some of our local nature attractions.
These programs are available all summer long:
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum (239-395-2233, shellmuseum.org) leads a daily Beach Walk departing at 9 a.m. from the Island Inn at 3111 West Gulf Drive, where parking is free for participants. Cost for the hour-long walk is $15 for ages 18 and older, $9 for ages 12 to 17, $7 for ages 5 to 11 and free for kids under 5. All must register in advance by phone or online. Participants receive half off admission to the museum.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (239-472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org) does its guided Family Beach Walk every Friday at 9 a.m. throughout the summer. The free hour-long walks begin at its Perry Tract shell and beach exhibit, accessible from Gulfside City Park on Algiers Road, right next door to Ocean’s Reach.
This is your chance to break a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title!
Join the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau in celebrating the 3rd annual National Seashell Day by volunteering to be a part of our GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt at the Largest human image of a seashell!
Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018 (Rain or Shine)
Location: The Outrigger Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach
Please note, there will be no lockers or storage available on site. Please make sure to keep your belongings on your person at all times.
Check-in: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. under the Tiki Hut at the Outrigger Beach Resort
Transportation: There will be no parking available on-site at the Outrigger Beach Resort. We strongly encourage participants to use the Free Park & Ride on LeeTran Beach Trolleys (Route 400) to and from the event. Trolleys will run every 10-15 minutes.
- BEACH PARK & RIDE, 11101 Summerlin Square Drive
- LOVERS KEY PARK & RIDE, 8700 Estero Blvd. (East side)
Details: In celebration of this holiday (now officially listed on the National Day Calendar,) the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is organizing a community engagement event to break a record for the Largest human image of a seashell.
Currently, this record is held by the Shell Oil Co. It consisted of 855 participants and was achieved on October 17, 2017.
As the seashell capital of the world, the VCB believes this record should be held by The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.
- Please bring your own refillable water bottle – free water and fruit will be provided at the event location
- Limited tent seating available – please bring a beach blanket or towel and sunscreen
- All participants will receive a free hat and a free commemorative 2018 National Seashell Day t-shirt
- Please wear khaki colored shorts or pants
- No pets allowed
**The first 100 people to pre-register and check-in at the event will receive a free Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel gift**
**You must pre-register to participate and to receive a free bus pass and t-shirt**
Register your friends and family today!
You’d be surprised about what you can find near Ocean’s Reach!
For instance, if you’ve ever found yourself saying “Gosh, I could really use some pink and yellow ostrich feathers!” then, believe it or not, you need look no further than just across the causeway.
The SA Feather Company in Fort Myers has been making exotic feathers for over a century.
Established in 1906 and spanning four generations, they’re known for their boas, wigs, wings, Vegas headdresses and Mardi Gras float décor.
How fabulous!
