Palm River Park

The Palm River Park is an odd little park in the Collier County system.  It runs for half a mile in a lightly landscaped  grass strip beside the Palm River on Immokalee Road in North Naples.

The park has a few benches and a few statues, including this memorial to a 13-year old boy from the neighborhood who was killed while playing at a nearby construction site. 

Bob and Jamie

Bob often spends time at "my" Starbucks reading a book, with one of his dogs lying at his feet.
This one is Jamie, an 11-year old cairn terrier.  One of Jamie's granddaughters
won third place in its class at this year's Westminster Dog Show.

Fountain

A pretty nice fountain sits in the main concourse through Miromar Factory Outlets in Estero. 

Mike

While I was at Naples Botanical Garden, I ran across Mike, a volunteer.  

Mike and I worked together for three years in the early 1980s.

We haven't seen each other since then.  34 years!  Mike was surprised that I recognized him after all this time.  We had a good talk before we each had to go back to our tasks.  Small world.

LaGrippe Orchid Garden - II

Here are four more.

LaGrippe Orchid Garden - I

The orchid garden at Naples Botanical Garden has about 1,000 different specimens.

Pond Lilies at Naples Botanical Garden

I loved the colors and varieties of pond lilies.

Earth Day at Naples Botanical Garden

The deputy director, Chad Washburn, told us what our assignments would be.

Eric is responsible for the natural areas of the botanical garden.

We planted 80-plus Florida slash pines, some of them very small.

About a dozen were taller.  I planted the tall ones.  Others pruned undergrowth.
A third group spread pine straw mulch on the paths.

Beach Umbrellas

Three ways to show a row of beach umbrellas on Little Hickory Island.

Got a favorite?

He's a Beggar, But He's Cute

He hung around the boat launch on Little Hickory Island, looking for handouts.

View From the Top

Friends stayed at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa.

We went up to their room to change from swimsuits to clothes for dinner.

Quite a view.

A Fishing Canoe

Little Hickory Island, Estero Bay, Florida

"Honey, I'm Home"

"You didn't bring anything to eat?"

Shells

Why go to all of that bother scouring a beach for a perfect shell when you can buy one at a store?

Guess Who is Here for Easter

Hazel

Willa and Susie

And Wessel

"Happy Birthday, Papa"

It is Wessel's birthday today.  Willa and Lola couldn't wait to celebrate.

Guest iPhone photo by Susie.

Beer

Me:      "What kind of beer does Wessel like?"

Susie:   "He says he doesn't have a favorite American beer yet, so just get him some lager-ish beer 

              with interesting pictures on the label."

Mission accomplished.

Lamborghini

A group of young (way younger than I) people hung around Little Hickory Island
with rap music blaring.

The Burroughs House

The Burroughs House is a 1901 Georgian Revival house on Fort Myers' First Street.

It hosted local elites in the early 20th century, including the Edisons and the Fords.

After the last descendant of the Burroughs family died in 1978, it was given to
the City of Fort Myers.  Today it is open for tours and special events.

Dusk

Not a great sunset, but it was pretty at Cocohatchee.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Someone has a sense of humor.  Barely any red at all on this woodpecker's belly.

Dolphins

On a warm recent afternoon, a half dozen dolphins were leaping beside the Naples Pier.

An Alligator

An alligator was at the edge of a pond, just off the fairway of the 14th hole.

Fortunately, my ball was reachable without disturbing him.

Happy Jazz Band

Dixieland Jazz at the Naples Zoo.