Sandhill Crane Colts

Written by Sam Schunk & Photographed by BK Davis

Truly a birdwatcher’s paradise, Florida offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to view the multitude of beautiful feathered friends found in our region. Spotted in the Jacaranda area, these adorable, less-than-one-day-old sandhill crane colts are a quintessential example of the Gulf Coast experience, as many residents and visitors look forward to their debut each year.

~ Experiencing Paradise ~

The Beaches, Restaurants, Music & the Arts

Readers share how they enjoy life in our wonderful town…

By Christiane Francin

Owls "hoo whose" hiding in your trees?

Written by Sam Schunk

The milder temperatures of the year are upon us, and it is a perfect time to head outdoors and take a walk in a park. While appreciating the scenery, you may enjoy searching for some of the feathered friends that are closely associated with autumn. To prepare you for your bird-watching adventure, we feature four species of owls, which all make their home in Florida.

Osprey's Oscar Scherer State Park

Wild & Wonderful

Written by Carol Marie Davis

You sense the wildness as soon as you enter Oscar Scherer State Park. A canopy of foliage along the main road draws you into the park’s 1,382 acres where many rare, threatened or endangered species including bald eagles, bobcats, river otters, gopher tortoises and alligators reside. In this oasis of nature, you can discover unique wild orchids growing alongside clumps of tall grasses, and be surprised by an elusive deer bounding through thickets of palmettos. “Our Resource Management Program helps maintain the park’s landscape as nature intended,” says Park Manager Tony Clements. “As development claims more and more of the state, protected natural areas like Oscar Scherer become increasingly valuable to wildlife and to people who enjoy watching wildlife,” Tony explains.

The Art of Beach Relaxation

By Christiane Francin

When I first moved to Nokomis in 1989, I enjoyed the beach almost everyday, walking on the powdery sand and swimming in the warm, crystal blue water. I was thrilled by the soft, illuminating colors of an early morning sunrise and the drama of the magnificent, vibrant sunsets in the evening. My camera, like a best friend, was always by my side. Today, even though my days are busier, I still enjoy the seashore and make it a priority to remember how fortunate I am to live so close to this amazing playground called the beach!

The Grande Dame of Eco-Tourism

Growing up in Boca Grande before the causeway existed, Marian Schneider mastered the navigational skills to ferry herself back and forth to school in her own wooden boat. A deep love of the water was fostered by her father who outfitted young Marian with a skiff and a fishing pole before a bicycle. It’s no wonder that today this Florida native holds a Master Captain’s License certified by the United States Coast Guard, is the first lady member of the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association; and, since 1989, has operated the oldest kayak and touring center in Charlotte County.