Average Monthly Temps
- Oct - 86 / 68
- Nov - 80 / 60
- Dec - 76 / 55
The forecast is for GREAT weather!
|
|
|
Did You Know?
- Luminary Night is coming! It's always the first
weekend in December. The islands are never crowded and its a great time to do Christmas shopping for the folks back
home. The fun starts at dusk and lasts until aprox. 9pm.
- The beach scenes in the 2002 movie "Sweet Home Alabama" were shot on Bowman's Beach? |
|
|
|
Fun Tip
Olde Town Sanibel encompasses the east end of the
island near the lighthouse. Historically, it was the center of much of the island’s activity; today, it is a place to
stroll quaint village shops, inns and restaurants. The Sanibel Historical Society has produced a self-guided walking/biking
tour to "yesteryear" that is approximately 2½ miles long. You can pick up a map at the Sanibel Historical Village.
|
|
|
|
Shelling
Tips
Simnia (sim-nigh-a) snails live on Sea Whips. Researchers believe that these small yellow or purplish mollusks have the
rare ability to match their color to their environment, perfectly camouflaging themselves. To find these brightly colored,
glossy little shells, look carefully at Sea Whips that have recently washed ashore. They are often wrapped around the
branches.
 |
|
|
|
| Are You Ready...
...to spend a year on the Islands? You
can with the 2007 CALENDAR from BestofSanibelCaptiva.com! Once again, all pictures are courtesy of members of the
Message Board. Visit the Cool Stuff! store and get yours
today!
|
|
|
|
| Speak
Out! What specific
topics would you like to see covered in future editions?
Send us your suggestions
|
|
|
|
| Subscription Information
Don't hesitate to forward this
issue to friends and family who share your love of the islands.
Anyone can subscribe for FREE! Send your e-mail address to
Subscribe and don't miss an issue!
To unsubscribe:
Send your e-mail address here.
|
|
|
 |
Island Happenings |
Unusual Beach Finds
Strange items are often seen in our waters and on our beaches. What are they?
This was such a popular theme in our
last newsletter, we decided to continue....
Skate Egg Case
This unusual find may go by different names (Mermaid's Purse, Devil's Purse) but all refer to the same thing: the egg
case of the Clearnose Skate. These leathery pouches are composed of chitin; a tough, flexible material that is similar
to human fingernails and perfect for protecting the developing skate. In the sea, these cases will hold the embryo
safely for several months and then split open to allow the youngster to swim away and fend for itself. (Rays give birth
to live young.) Though the skate has usually hatched by the time a case washes up on shore, it's a good idea to check -
storms and strong waves can sometimes tear them away from the seaweed to which they were attached and throw them on the
beach with the young still inside. Look for a split along one of the long sides.
| 
|
Sand Collars
A Sand Collar (or Sea Collar) is made by the Moon Snail to protect her eggs. The eggs are mixed with sand and a
slimy, gel-like substance that binds everything together. Fragments of collars are often found washed up on the beach
in the spring and whole collars are easily seen in a calm, low tide on the sandbars. The collars are amazingly flexible
when they are wet but are still very fragile. How something so delicate can remain intact against the tide and current is another of
nature's mysteries.
Snake on the Beach?
Many people guess that its a backbone of some sort or the skeleton of a snake and few realize that what they've actually
found is the egg case of the Lightning Whelk. Often reaching over a foot in length, each pocket in the case can contain
up to 100 tiny, completely formed whelk. Holding a pocket up to the light will sometimes allow you to see the unhatched
whelk moving around. Whelk are cannibals and most of the eggs in each capsule serve as food for the usually single
survivor that will hatch. If a case is on the beach and dried-out, any shells inside have died and you can add them to
your collection.
Red mangrove propagules
Why the fancy term? Because, strictly speaking, these starter mangroves are not seeds, though the seed does sit atop
the propagule. These long, fibrous structures are sometimes called sea pencils. From them, new red mangroves grow. The
elongated propagules can cling to the parent tree for months before dropping off to float away, often already sprouted.
They can spend months drifting in salt water before rooting. White and black mangroves produce large, conventional-
looking seeds.
From the Forum
Our Message Board remains a VERY popular addition - many folks wake up to it
daily, logging on to see what's new in their favorite vacation spot and taking a little armchair trip to the islands
over coffee. Come 'Dream' with us at BestofSanibelCaptiva.com!
A quote from a visitor:
"Thank you to all who helped to make our Sanibel vacation so wonderful.
We can't believe that it is over. All we seem to be able to think about is what we were doing this time last week!....
Sanibel was fantastic! Just what my family and I needed! Began planning a return trip before this one was barely
beginning. We enjoyed our stay....and all of the places we ate were great! The only problem was that my family couldn't
pry me off of the beach!....Thank you for sharing this paradise with us! "
Taking It Easy
"We love to eat in the great restaurants on SanCap, but sometimes just like to take it easy (without cooking).
Any recommendations [for] 'pre-prepared' meals to pick up and re-heat? (not take-out)"
On Sanibel:
- Bailey's has pre-made daily dinner specials you can pick-up or, with 24 hours notice, will cook whatever meat you
prefer. Their chicken is very good (both rotisserie and fried) and the deli has good variety.
- Jerry's has good rotisserie chicken, many choices of sides...and a terrific salad bar! Don't overlook the pasta
with pesto in the deli.
- Head over to Mozella's Foodworks on Palm Ridge Road for homemade lasagnas, excellent tomato pies, soups and more,
all in the freezer.
- East End Deli has great sandwiches and a salad bar plus nightly dinner specials ready and waiting.
On Captiva:
- Latte Da has made-to-order sandwiches, salads, gourmet coffee, desserts and a nightly dinner special. You can also
arrange for full catered meals for reasonable prices. You make your selections in advance (2-3 days notice is best).
The chefs will buy fresh groceries and cook your meal that morning - you just pick up the food and the included
instructions for heating. Later, return the dirty pans and they even take care of the clean up!
We've saved you a seat!
We have the latest air fare deals,
the perfect home away from home and
monthly tide charts for your trip!
Sanibel & Captiva Islands are waiting for YOU!
|
|
