Winter Birding on Sanibel

As most visitors know, winter season, aka, high season, is prime time on Sanibel.It is when we have the most guests on Island, when condo and house rentals hold their highest value and when restaurants need reservations to serve you best.



And like the human snow birds who flee the colder climes north and west, our island winged birds gather in numbers and species over these months of February and March. They, like our winter two legged visitors, are migratory souls searching for warmer weather where life will be easier.



Those humans who visit in winter to watch birds should plan their bird watching walks and drives on days when low tide is fairly early in the morning. When the tide is low, fish concentrate in shallow pools, making it easy for wading birds to capture prey and create perfect conditions for bird watching.

Birding tip: During the fall, winter and spring, serious Sanibel birders know to visit Lighthouse point in the early morning, when large numbers of migrating birds can be found resting in the trees.

Sanibel is a birder’s paradise at any time of year. Our beaches attract snowbirds of the avian species, pausing on their seasonal migrations; mangrove islands on the island’s bay side serve as rookeries. The wetlands found at the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Nature Center and Center Tract Preserve, in the Sanibel Gardens Preserve, and in the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge provide abundant opportunities for bird-watching.

Most of the species of “long-legged waders” are found in Southwest Florida, where they are numerous, year-round residents. There is no better place to observe and study these birds than Sanibel and surrounding waters, where most of them feed regularly in such areas as the “Ding” Darling Refuge and nest in big mixed colonies on mangrove islands in adjacent Pine Island Sound. Principally because of a sub-tropical climate, one can expect to find birds nesting in our area in every month of the year with the possible exception of October.

Wherever you encounter birds on the islands, please remember that these islands are their home. Give them some space and disturb them as little as possible. Remember that Sanibel prohibits hand-feeding of any wild birds, including gulls.

Finding Quiet Corners on Sanibel in High Season

If you could hear our phones ringing, you would know for certain high season has arrived!


Most of our vacation rental houses are booked solid for that February/March/April period.


And many of our vacation rental condos are booked as well.


There are some last minute specials to be found, but all things point to a fully booked high season.


While the ringing phones and cash registers (metaphorically speaking) are music to our ears, we totally understand how our guests on the Island may see things differently. After all, restaurants, cafes, grocery stores and shops in general are popping during high season. And though our beaches are never crowded, there will be people sunning themselves all through winter. (and why not when it's a beautiful 78 degrees here right now?) The pools will have even more activity, and the bike ways and walkways will have their share of cyclists and pedestrians. Never crowded or crammed, the Island's popularity can be measured most easily in winter months.


So what's a person to do to escape, if not the crowds, then the gatherings on Sanibel Island during this expanse of perfect weather and southern retreat from winter climes?


You might want to consider a walk or bike ride off the main paths. These residential neighborhoods are beautifully kept and there is little car or even bike traffic to contend with. You can pause in your ride to watch the boats going up and down the canals. In fact, before you even reach the Island, there are numerous places you can stop your car to take in the vistas. Ding Darling Nature Preserve is never crowded and that opens up even more opportunities to walk or bike with little intrusion.


You can charter your own boat, and set sail to enjoy the open waters, you can hire a canoe or kayak to explore the little known bayous, or you can stop at the Sanibel library and browse the shelves. In all these instances, you will be enjoying the best of the Island in wonderful ways where human interaction, while possible, is not absolutely necessary.

TripAdvisor Rates Sanibel Among Best Beaches

In its 2011 Traveler's Choice awards, TripAdvisor named Sanibel among the best beaches not only in the country, but in its world wide choices as well.



Taking the number 5 place (out of 25) in the USA, Sanibel got its high positioning for the shelling to be found on its beaches: "Saunter on the shell-speckled sands of tropical barrier island, Sanibel, on Florida's Gulf coast. Quiet, secluded White Beach, with its scurrying sandpipers, offers a respite from the holidaymaking hordes elsewhere, while Turner Beach lures those with their sights on shells or the day’s catch."



Placing a little lower on a world wide basis (number 16 out of 25), the Island still received accolades when competing with such dazzling beaches as those on Bora Bora and actually placed above the world class beaches in Thailand and Hawaii.



So how does a sleepy, 12 mile tropical barrier Island get such big notoriety?



Well, the shelling is clearly a factor in its popularity, but there are several others as well when considering personal preferences for a beach vacation.



We have to acknowledge that the affordability of Sanibel helps it gain advantage. It is not by far the least expensive destination in Florida, but for what it offers, it is clearly a value package. It is still driveable from many locations within the USA, and even those holiday makers coming from further away can often find a good air fare.



Accommodations are diverse and provide lots of options to the family traveling together or for couples or singles seeking a great place to stay. Houses, cottages, condos, Inns all offer a different experience and a good quality. The Island is small enough that there is no such thing as being very far from the beach or very far from the many restaurants and shops for that matter.



And, nature abounds despite the comforts, conveniences and accommodation options available. Look around and in one sweeping glance one can take in the emerald green of the Gulf, the incredible variety of birds, the lush topicality and, of course, the awesome shelling.



We speak your language, use your currency and appreciate your preferences.....no matter who you are or where you are from. The language is nature, the currency is comfort and the preference is our objective in giving you the best vacation you will find anywhere!

End of Year Thoughts on Sanibel Real Estate

As we discover year after year, the Sanibel Island experience is so profound that many of our rental guests become Sanibel Island property owners. Some buy condos, some buy houses, some use their places exclusively and some rent them out. The compelling reason is simply the wonderful quality of life on Sanibel. There are few places in the world that offer the topicality, comfort, nature and beauty of Sanibel Island and these attributes make our guests ask why or why not when it comes to buying a second (or sometimes first) home on Sanibel.



And now there a few more compelling reasons to consider the leap to home ownership on this unique barrier island which apply to all of Florida, as well as Sanibel.



1. Mortgage rates hit a record low of 3.94% this year (2011), homes sold for a fraction of their value five years ago, and excess inventory provided every buyer with a range of options. 2011 saw a real estate market with great deals, yet fewer buyers than needed. In 10 years, however, many Americans may look back on 2011 as the best time in a generation to invest in real estate.



2. The Florida economy remained sluggish as unemployment rates stayed uncomfortably high and home sales stayed uncomfortably low; but, across the board, the state showed signs of recovery, with almost every economic indicator suggesting brighter days ahead. Home sales edged higher most months; selling prices held their own and, in a few cases, median selling prices rose. Floridians’ consumer confidence also rose toward the end of the year after bobbing around for most of the summer. Employment followed, and while the state has a long way to go to hit “normal,” it reached a 2011 level of “better than last year.”



3. Florida Realtors had a number of victories in the 2011 Florida Legislature, but none as important as a constitutional amendment voters will consider in November 2012, and none so hard-fought as a law to “scrap the cap” on Florida’s affordable housing trust funds. Amendment 4, if approved by Florida voters, will create a property tax increase cap of 5% each year on non-homestead real estate, down from the current 10% cap. It will also give some first-time home buyers a property tax break that decreases over time. In 2012, Florida Realtors will roll out its “Yes on 4” campaign.



But the time to buy is always now, and the following spells out the reason why:
“Our state is in a mini-recovery,” said Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo at the state association’s 2012 Real Estate and Economic Forecast Conference in Orlando. “Sales are trending up, listing inventories are falling, the supply of lender-related properties has stabilized, and we are seeing multiple offers on homes in some local markets.” “In fact, Florida homes today may be undervalued,” Tuccillo added. “That may seem like a drastic statement,” he said. “But a buyer who plans to own the home for five to seven years can get some great bargains today.”



So let the buyer not beware, but be aware, very aware that Sanibel at any price is a great deal and at current prices a fabulous bargain!

Living Sanibel Nature Guide: Your Best "Buy" Any time

Thoughts still on shopping, we have a clear cut suggestion for anyone seeking the perfect gift...for themselves or for anyone one else on their holiday list if you are still looking.


Until now, though there have been many publications that provided pieces of information on Sanibel Island. And there have been (some extraordinary) calendars that have pictures that show the island's beauty.


But the relatively new publication, Living Sanibel, provides both information and photographs that are superlative.


The history, geography, folk lore and anecdotal view of this gorgeous barrier Island provide a great introduction to the book. But as its subtitle, A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Island, indicates, the real value of the book is in the incredible detail of the flora and fauna of Sanibel.


Never will you find as many points of information and as many illustrative photographs about the Island's birds, reptiles, mammals and vegetation than are provided in this nearly 500 page treasure book.


Every living thing on Sanibel has a profile and a picture.


And these are not just run of the mill photographs. Great nature photographers such as the author, Charles Sobczak himself, are featured throughout the book with big, bold images of Peregrine Falcons, Red Belly Turtles and Grouper. Photographers from the Miami studio, Through the Lens Gallery, as well as Rob Pailes, Hung V. Do and a whole host of others strut their stuff throughout this marvelous publication.



Graphic illustrations are minimal with the emphasis on photography, but those that exist are very well done. Most of the fish are illustrations, rather than photos, and the renderings are created by the very talented Diane Rome Peebles.


Whether a gift for the holidays or a gift for yourself at any time, Living Sanibel makes for a good read, a good view and a very good buy at well under $30 all over the island!

Sanibel Farmer's Market A Gift To All

Tis the season as they say, and looking at the traffic on the internet all searches appear headed toward an early celebration. So many people are looking for that perfect gift!



On Sanibel, we are given gifts daily...the sunshine, seemingly perpetual, the blue skies and emerald waters are all there to be enjoyed. Most joyfully, like all the best things in life, these gifts of the Island don't cost a penny.



But not all things in life are perfectly free, and the small specials that are relatively inexpensive are delightful and not to be missed.



To fully experience the best of Sanibel, you have to invest a little bit of time and---in some instances----a little bit of money.



The return on your investments, however, will be enormous.



Take for example the Farmer's Market. Held on Sundays at Sanibel City Hall between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., more than 30 vendors are participating this year. Under the cloudless Sanibel skies, participants will be selling baked goods, live plants, honey, pasta, cheese, sausages, fresh fish, produce and organic veggies. All items are high quality specialized items that cater to the needs of the community.



And like most events on Sanibel, the hidden good is the fun of meeting and greeting people at the market. Both the vendors and the people attending are friendly and share information freely. It's a great way to spend a Sunday morning on the Isle of Sanibel!

Sanibel Library Proves Its Value Once Again

Recognized as one of the best libraries in the state of Florida by residents, visitors and other libraries, the Sanibel Library is showing its ability to keep up with the times once again.


In days of old, Libraries were rated on their cataloging systems, their facilities and their special user services.


In these times, a "good" library needs to be up to the latest in technology, and in this respect the Sanibel Library offers some real treats for those who are fortunate enough to use it. In addition to the library offering patrons down-loadable audio and e-books on their Kindle through the use of their library card, the library is currently in the process of a major tech over haul that will positively impact everyone.


The Sanibel Public Library is implementing an upgrade to provide a new library collection management system that includes a self check out stations for patrons. The upgrade includes installing new radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tags in each of the library’s 70,000+ items. RFID is a combination of radio-frequency-based technology and microchip technology. The information contained on microchips in the tags affixed to library materials is read using radio-frequency technology. Checking materials out and in, and finding materials on the shelves, is easier and more efficient for library users and for staff.



According to library staff : "Patron self-check has always been popular here and now it will be a breeze with new, state-of-the-art stations. Library inventory, a once-dreaded summertime project, will take only a fraction of the time it used to, enabling staff to make sure each title is in its rightful place for patrons."