Some words on Nature Selfies on Sanibel

There is a new phenomena taking place all over the world.

It's been going on for a few years, and is now accelerating. 

It's called a selfie.

You know, the kind of quick snap of your self with your cell phone with the Eiffel Tower behind you, or perhaps a dinner photo of you and your best friend at a restaurant, or maybe your new beautiful condo that you just moved into serving as your background.

All of these are harmless,

It's fun to see them on Facebook and other social media where people post their pix.

But what concerns us is the nature selfie.

And we are reading our concern has a good reason.

In taking selfies with animals, there has been great damage.

People holding a baby dolphin for the camera actually caused the lovely , innocent creature to die.  It was kept out of the water too long and could not survive

In another incident, widely criticized, a peacock was the subject for selfies.  As with many birds, the peacock's nature and fragile heart could not handle the stress and the peacock succumbed.

While Sanibel Island is a unique nature destination attracting people from all corners of the world, many, if not most, respect and love nature.

But the island invites easy access, and it could prove harmful if caution is not exercised.

For your sake, more than the alligator's, getting close to a gator to snap a selfie could easily be the last photo you ever take.  While our gators are awesome, they are wild and unpredictable.  Standing within a few feet of a large alligator when close to the water is much too big a risk.  Stand 20 feet back and grab a snap of the gator alone.  Your friends and family will be much happier with a safe image than one that could have cost you your life.

And though most of our birds will not allow a close encounter, there are some that will.  But refrain from getting too cozy with the Great Blue Heron wandering the beach.  Your friendliness may create undue stress, and that big beak can be super painful if aimed directly at you.

None of our critters need to be fed as an enticement for a close up.  There is ample food for every creature that lives here, and it is here 12 months a year.

Sanibel is a special place.  Our guests are special people. And our nature is most special of all.    We can all co-exist on this little tropical island with no damage done to anyone.