Pelican Bay, Naples, Florida

About 16 years ago, my Mom and Dad decided to move to Florida.

Jack had just been born and we were all in a bit of shock that they were choosing to "leave" as we were just starting a family.

For most years since then, we have left behind the Maryland winter and visited their home in Naples.  My Mom and Dad lived there for ten years before my Mom passed away;  I am so glad that they moved when they did.  As I head toward an empty nest myself, I've gained a new appreciation and understanding of a decision I couldn't grasp 16 years ago.  Funny how life works like that.

Our annual trips to Pelican Bay have nurtured our souls, renewed our spirits and given us family moments and memories that are priceless.

Me and Dad

Dad lives in an area of Naples called Pelican Bay where bike and walking paths provide access to recreation and shopping areas as you wind your way within and through a tropical wonderland.  You can't help but get out and go walking.

Unlike much of the overdeveloped coastline,  Pelican Bay was developed with the environment and conservation in mind.

Jim loves picking the limes that grow in the backyard to use in his drink at happy hour...

Notice the professional fruit picker made by my Dad...a coat hanger taped to the end of a broom handle.

A walk around the lake behind his house led us to this huge tree which was loaded with berries.  It was at least five stories tall.  As we got closer, the tree seemed like it was moving, alive with a flock of over 200 cedar waxwings migrating through.  

Ficus Citrifolia or Short Leaf Fig/Wild Banyan tree

It was a magical moment.  Jim and I just stood there looking up into the huge canopy as discarded berries rained all around us.

Another tree I like to visit is this guy...

It looks beautiful from far away but as you get closer, its secret is revealed...

The trunk is completely covered in thorns!  I've never seen a tree like it.  There's no climbing it that's for sure.  Does anyone know it's name?  How about the berry tree?

As we head west toward the beach and the gulf of Mexico, there is a 2.3-mile biking/walking path through "The Berm", a mangrove environment housing red, white and black mangroves and hundreds of different species of birds, animals and aquatic life.

One of our favorites is the anhinga...

Using its webbed feet, the anhinga swims in the water, diving underwater to seek out the fish which are its prime source of food.  When done swimming, they spread their wings and tail feathers and dry out in the sun, sometimes in some very funny places.

Because Pelican Bay was developed with conservation and the environment in mind, the dense mangrove forest was preserved and boardwalks were built to provide a pathway to the beach...



Mangroves protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves and floods.  Mangroves also help to prevent erosion by stablilizing sediments with their tangled root systems...



They maintain water quality by filtering water pollutants and serve as a nursery for many different animals and fish.

Like these baby egrets nesting in a tangle of mangroves...

And this baby alligator...

It's an absolutely magical place, like having your own National Geographic special just by walking out the door.  

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

After we make it through the mangrove forest, we're rewarded by this view of the Gulf...

And the pelicans which inspired the area's name...

Jim hits the beach and starts searching for treasures, trailing the sandpipers who zip out ahead of him...

Jim goes shelling every day that we are there, a ritual that inspired my piece, Found on the Beach.

We've found that the beach changes every day and we're much more likely to see something new by going frequently.  

When I asked him how the treasure hunting was going, he said "The shells are always there, some days they just hide better than others."   So wise that man of mine.

I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted this beauty...

Bending over to pick it up, I was startled by the guy who had taken up house there...

Yellow-lined Hermit Crab

The beach there never ceases to delight me.

All of this is prelude to THE story of the week and the highlight of our trip to Pelican Bay this year. A tale I'll share next post.

It's good to be home and posting again.  Waving to you all!