Sanibel Island is often referred to as the “Shelling Capital of the World.” In fact, the typical, bent-over posture of humans seeking shells has been coined the “Sanibel Stoop.” Shelling is one of the primary reasons people choose Sanibel over other warm, sunny, ocean islands, and definitely motivates me to return again and again. It is relatively unusual for empty, unbroken Junonia shells to turn up on the beaches of Sanibel. When one is found, custom dictates that the finder and the shell are photographed and displayed in the local newspaper. The news nearly always appears on various Facebook pages, such as “The Shellinator” and “Sanibel Island”. I have yet to find a Junonia but I still enjoy the search; thus, the “Dreams” part of Junonia Dreams.
The abundance of birds and the wide variety of bird species found on, above, and in the waters around Sanibel are also great reasons to vacation here. The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is internationally known as a premier location to find species like those elusive “lifers” that you can’t find anywhere near home, if you live in the upper 48 States. My life list tally jumped drastically during the first few times I birded here. It’s become pretty routine for each new Florida trip list to exceed 100 species in the first few days of each trip we make here.
Serious shellers never call shells “seashells”, just as serious birders never call gulls and terns “seagulls”. Both are popular, although generic, terms that encompass a wide variety of species. But I’d rather be playful than serious.
While most travel guides tout Sanibel Island for everything you can find and experience here, I think the Island is significant, in part, for what is NOT here. There is NOT ONE traffic signal on the Island (although there ARE a few stop signs and, during busier times, a few traffic cops). There are no high-rise buildings, thanks to some carefully considered local ordinances. There are no airports, railroads, or heavy industry. Business signs cannot be made of garish neon tubes and can only be illuminated by fixtures that cast their light downward; one reason for this is the protection of the annual crop of newly hatched turtles (more on this in a later post).
We’ll talk a lot more about Sanibel Island in subsequent posts. For now, welcome to my Blog! I hope you’ll become a regular reader, and please “Like” and “Follow” Junonia Dreams on Facebook.
