The Island Jazz performs in the BIG ARTS Bolar Garden on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 during the winter months. They regularly draw over 200 Jazz enthusiasts to their free concert. The band, comprised of talented amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians, performs Big Band and Dixieland-style music.. In case of rain, the concert will move to the Gainer Veranda. Bring your own chair and arrive early as Jim and Mary Lou Lewis did this past Sunday. These wonderful concerts are provided free, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the music!

That’s Right! The Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies have arrived! Tune in and watch them on the Osprey Cam. We were notified by a viewer yesterday morning that she had spotted them and sure enough, they are here!

We feel so lucky to have this beautiful pair back for the fourth year in a row, and now to be ale to watch them live anytime of the day. The female laid the first egg on Christmas day, the second egg on the 26th and then finally a third. Now we have babies to watch! Tune in and feel the thrill!!

BIG ARTS now presenting live, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”!! If you have not seen this performance currently playing at the BIG Arts Herb Strauss Theater, you have until February 11th to reserve your ticket to see an absolutely wonderful, laugh out loud show.

The cast of 13 are all professional performers with a wide array of credits to their resume. To quote one New Yorker “I saw this play in New York City, and this was a much more professional and entertaining performance than I saw in the big city”. As I left the theater all I could hear were comments about how great the cast is and that this is the best show to ever be done on the island! Reserve your tickets now and don’t miss one of the highlights of the year!

I am reserving a spot again to make sure I see it a second time before it ends. Pictured above are a few of the Ocean’s Reach gang during intermission!

Andy

Immediately following this release of the review below, I understand that crowds were lined up outside the door waiting for a table. Many were first timers from Fort Myers.

It is rare to get such an excellent review from this famed food critic. Cip’s and island residents are very proud of this distinction.

Learn about shells and more at this month’s beach walk sponsored by The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. Meet at Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach (east side of Ocean’s Reach) on Tuesday, January 31 at 9 a.m. at the parking lot. Leave your car at Ocean’s Reach and walk or bike next door to start your tour. Fun and fascination for the whole family. You can never learn enough about our special island’s trove of shells and eco-treasures.

The birding tours every Thursday morning at Ocean’s Reach have been a huge success. Guest meet at the Grove and then head to the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve. The next trip will be held this coming Thursday, the 26th. Walt, an informative Park Ranger, conducts the tours and everyone that has attended raves about his knowledge and the enjoyment they experienced while on the trip!

Remember to call the office or stop by and make your return reservations for the next January outing! January is “Birding Month” at Ocean’s Reach!

In order to help us all with long range trip plans, Arthur Frommer has just listed his favorite top ten vacation destinations in the world and Sanibel Island is his #1 favorite!!!

This past Thursday morning, Ocean’s Reach bird enthusiasts had the chance to experience Sanibel’s special winter visitors with our own Walt McNairy, resident bird expert. The day was a bit crisp, but bright and beautifully clear – optimal for birding. We started at The Grove at Ocean’s Reach, then loaded up for a drive over to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to really get started. Birds, birds, birds everywhere!! We logged 20 different species at the very first pond we visited! Our final count was at least 35 varieties. Walt was full of all kinds of great avian information and fielded all “birdy” questions so knowledgeably. He introduced us all to another great way to enjoy the incredible beauty of Sanibel! Ocean’s Reach will sponsor this trip every Thursday morning at 8:30 am till the end of January. Be sure to join us!

A new beachfront live streaming video cam will let you experience the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico any time you wish. Not nearly as good as being there, the camera will stream pictures from earliest dawn to past sunset.

See happy vacationers sunning or shelling on the beach. Check on day-breaking sunrises. Enjoy spectacular sunsets. If you’ve stayed at Ocean’s Reach beachfront condominiums, the pictures will bring back treasured memories. And if you’re looking for a secluded vacation spot for a quiet getaway, or one with enough activities for a great family vacation, Ocean’s Reach is the place.

Known for its shelling beaches, Sanibel Island is a sanctuary island, boasting the J. N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge where more than 300 bird species are reported annually. One of the top ten birding destinations in the country, Sanibel provides sanctuary for birds and humans, with more than 70% of the island in sanctuary or preserve land.

Click on the camera link often and give yourself a virtual beach front vacation any time you feel the need.

A new, live streaming osprey cam is revealing the secrets of the osprey pair who are making Ocean’s Reach their home for the 4th season. Mounted above the nesting platform, the camera showed the appearance of Egg #1 on Christmas. Egg #2 was laid the following day and now the pair is alternating sitting on three eggs. Tune in often to see the family change as the chicks are born, fed, and finally test their wings.

Wild Osprey now in Live Streaming Video

The osprey pair that nests at Ocean’s Reach can’t hide any more. Their actions on the nest are covered by a live streaming video cam. Ospreys are also known as fish eagles or sea hawks. Male and female are nearly identical, with the female having a stouter body and broader wings. Their golden brown eyes can see fish beneath the waves from heights of 130 feet (40 meters) above the ocean. And now we can watch them up close and personal.

Amazing Birds of Prey

Mating for life, this osprey pair who lives at Ocean’s Reach will likely make this location their home for many years to come. If all goes well, chicks should begin to hatch around the middle of February. Being fed often – and you can watch them in the nest – these kids will grow rapidly and will “fledge” or fly away some time in early April. Click in often to watch their activities.

Nest Watching

Ocean’s Reach’s osprey pair is in its fourth year using this nest which sits on a human-built platform above the Ocean’s Reach property. From there, they have been observing the condominium complex’s guest activities. And now the guests – and you – can observe theirs. Join the live streaming feed often to observe the birds sitting on the eggs, feeding, the eggs hatching and the progress the chicks make as they grow.