Fort Myers & Sanibel/Lee County Traveler's Guide 2008 - (Page 30) ®® T H E N AT U R A L W O R L D B E S T B E T S he Caloosahatchee and Estero rivers and the Gulf of Mexico converge to create coastal estuarine environments. Waters eddy to and fro’ around land masses crafted from the remnants of an undersea world. Plants and animals offer enough serenity for the serious BEST BETS birdwatcher and ample excitement to drag the kids away from the Playstation®. Dolphins, manatees and alligators – oh my! – populate the warm waters and land creatures include the elusive, endangered Florida panther. Birds of all kinds of feathers flock to the area in fall, winter and spring. More information about the t in the wild natural world can be found after each entry here i.e. (see p123), and additional listings appear beginning on page 86 and at www.fortmyers-sanibel.com. ® Hickey’s Creek ® Guided Kayak Tour at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Must-experience: Paddling Tarpon Bay on the stern-side of a witty and learned naturalist through canoe trails traveled by Calusa Indians. Examine a 10-year-old king conch and learn the fascinating workings of the mangrove forest. (see p89) Mitigation Park An uplands ecosystem colors the flora and fauna in this largest of Lee County parks. Gopher tortoises share habitat here with the threatened Florida scrub jay. (see p89) ® Turtle Time! May 1 through October 31 marks the nesting season of the loggerhead sea turtle. In very rare instances, visitors can attend a turtle release with Turtle Time and watch the hatchlings make their way to their salty home. (see p43) ® Manatees The Florida Manatee, known as sea cows and even mistaken for mermaids in days of yore, can be seen at Manatee Park from December to March. The rest of the year they find a haven in the canals at Lovers Key State Park. (see pp89,93) PAGE 30 ® Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve; Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Well, you’d think each of these ecological wonders would tire you out, but the boardwalks perched sensitively over these watersheds are each just over a mile long. Both are havens for native and visiting birds. (see p89) http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com
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