We took a short winter break to go down to Sanibel Island, Florida and then up to Sarasota to see friends. And I guess we chose just the right week: North Carolina had a huge snow, ice and power outage “event” that we were glad to miss.
These photos were taken at the
J. N. Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve
Have you ever been? It is beyond wonderful, so take a look at their site and try to go sometime in the future.

Very peaceful reflections…and so glad the day was cloudy as it gave all the photos more depth.
Love the way the shells had taken on the green moss look in a particularly shaded, wet, sandy area in the preserve.
Pelican floating on by:
Wonderful egret stalking its prey:
Loving the huge green leaves (no, I don’t know what this is..) with the yellow tinge at center:
I’ve been having some major problems with the blog…So, if you don’t see me here for a few days, it’s because we are trying to solve a multitude of issues that have somehow worked into my Dashboard. And, if this page has anything misplaced (as in, down at bottom something strange is going on…) just ignore! Thanks for your patience.
So beautiful Libby! Ding Darling is such a special place, I was always on the search for a Roseate Spoonbill on our visits there but alas he/she was not to be found.Did you see one?
cindy recently posted…Puppy!
Cindy: No, we didn’t see one; we too are on the lookout. We DID see, and hear, Sandhill Cranes in Sarasota. What a sound they make!
Libby recently posted…SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA
I have never been to Sanibel Island Libby but it certainly sounds like you chose the right time to go. I love your photos of all the wildlife! Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your blog – that must be so frustrating – I hope you can sort it out quickly.
Julie recently posted…In A Vase On Monday – Forcing Camellias
Julie: Well, the blog problems are not life threatening (!) so I can live with them for a while. But we all get so accustomed to things just going along, and in working order, that it’s such a surprise when something goes wrong. And then to not be able to, or have the skills to, fix the problem….aaaghhh. All in good time, right?
Libby recently posted…SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA
I bet Sanibel was lovely. I’ve been so tired….two weeks of kids home with no school.
Leigh Powell Hines recently posted…Beth Shaw’s Immunity Soup and New YogaLean Book Giveaway
Oh Leigh…I do feel for all of you this winter. So, when will they have to make up those days? Sanibel was lovely, but we only had one day of sun. Sarasota was totally fogged in the night we took a “sunset cruise”. But it was a break, and we missed the last storm!
Thank you so much for your visit and thus my introduction to your stunning blog.
Thank you for the link to the article on couples — fascinating, but perhaps not surprising.
Like you, I’ve been lucky in my almost 30 year marriage.
I would be most flattered if you link back to me.