Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande, Fla. 2013 By Paul Goldfinger ©
BEVERLY KENNEY. “That’s All”
Archive for the ‘Florida connection’ Category
Boca Grande: beachfront getaway
Posted in Blogfinger News, Florida connection, tagged Beverly Kenney--- "That's All" on January 24, 2025|
True love ways, by and by.
Posted in Florida connection, tagged Fort Myers beach on January 4, 2025|
Wood Storks abound in southwest Fla this time of year
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Florida connection, Travel articles, tagged Wood Storks in Florida on December 4, 2024| 2 Comments »
Five wood storks in the wild (our backyard). Ft. Myers, Fla. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click left to see Big Bird. ©
Hello, I must be going. Click left ©
By Eileen and Paul Goldfinger, editors Blogfinger (original post Jan 2014)
Wood storks are on the endangered list. They are tropical and semitropical birds, but they can be found in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. These birds are huge, being about 3-4 feet tall, with a wing span of 5-6 feet. They have pink feet, black heads, long curved black bills and black under their white wings.
They like to feed in open wetlands and wade in shallow water to find fish, frogs and bugs. They like swamps, marshes and mangroves for that, but they breed and nest where there are tall trees, preferably cypress forests where there can be 25 nests in one tree. They are very sensitive to fluctuating water levels which occur wherever there is more development. They are known to fly long distances, up to 80 miles, to find sufficient fish for their babies which get large very quickly. The female usually lays 3-5 eggs.
The largest nesting area in the world is near us in the Corkscrew Sanctuary in Naples. We visited there yesterday (see photos below,) but weren’t allowed near the nesting areas. Nevertheless, the National Audubon Society maintains a beautiful refuge there where a variety of wild life can be seen, including still-frozen tourists from -30 degree Minnesota as well as those from New Jersey who are seeking good bagels. We saw baby alligators and a variety of birds. The gators were about 2 feet long–two lying on a log perfectly still.
We found 8 wood storks, see above, in our backyard a few days ago. They are in the wild and they like to hang out with a group of egrets. It looked like a Rotary meeting. Two of the storks did a brief mating dance. I was able to approach them, but when I got too close, they just walked slowly away in the other direction as if to say “Buzz off, pal!”
Corkscrew Sanctuary in Naples, Fla. Egret hunts for prey. Jan. 2014. Paul Goldfinger photos. Left click for all theses photos.
Corkscrew Sanctuary wetlands with cypress trees. Paul Goldfinger photo © 2014.
Baby alligator. Click left for bigger view. Corkscrew refuge. 2014 ©
By Paul Goldfinger. Blogfinger.net
JULIE ANDREWS “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins.
A Christmas morning surprise: a dead loggerhead oceanic turtle is found on a Florida beach.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Florida connection, tagged Loggerhead turtle in Florida on November 29, 2024|
Dec. 25, 2020. San Carlos Bay. Bunche beach. Ft. Myers, Fla. Southwest coast. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click on image to enlarge.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, N.J., U.S.A
Nature knows no holidays. I went to the beach at 8 am on Christmas morning hoping to find someone in a Santa hat.
As I walked towards the beach entrance, I met a tall young man heading my way carrying a serious photo rig identifying him as a nature photographer. His lens was about 15 inches long. He came up to me, seeing my camera, and he said that a dead loggerhead turtle had washed up and that it was a very rare finding. He said that this time of year would be unusual for a loggerhead to show up because it was their nesting time.
I walked onto the beach and saw the creature immediately. It was about 3 1/2 feet long. There were red marks around the head and neck. A Ranger was also on the scene. He thought that the animal may have been about 50-70 years old, but he couldn’t say if it were male or female. Its life expectancy is up to 80 years. In general these sea turtles are survivors having been around for 100 million years—or so they say.
He turned to rush back to his Jeep to make a call. He and his colleague would move the animal to a special lab where it would be autopsied with the tentative cause of death being “red tide” which is found in Florida now, but not as bad as last year.
Then a young couple appeared while I was photographing. They told me that they were active in a group which travels around concerning itself with survival of turtles and other oceanic wildlife. She showed me her colored bracelets signifying marine places where she has gone to help the cause. These big turtles are considered endangered.
The loggerhead seemed so sad to me, partly because it was Christmas morning, and the couple said that it was not there yesterday. They also agreed with the red tide diagnosis.
The first image was intentionally obtained in color and to show the turtle’s size and its location on the beach.
But then I switched to a monochrom camera with a portrait lens. This creature seemed like it was dignified in its way and maybe I could reveal that with a black and white photograph. (see below–next post)
The face of the turtle revealed big dark eyes which almost seemed to be staring ahead. It’s body was encrusted with barnacles as if it had reached old age. But it looked strong and well nourished, so maybe its luck had run out in a cruel natural oceanic world. There were signs of violence on its body, and that clashed with the idea of “peace on Earth” which prevailed today.
BILLIE EILISH
Portrait of a turtle..
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Florida connection, tagged Turtle portrait on November 29, 2024| 1 Comment »
Loggerhead turtle washed up dead on Christmas morning, 2020. Bunche Beach, San Carlos Bay, Florida. Paul Goldfinger photograph. ©. Click to enlarge.
LUCIA MICARELLI. From her album Music From a Farther Room.
Nosey Snowy Egret
Posted in Florida connection, tagged Fly away by John Denver on November 28, 2024|
Sanibel Island fishing pier. Florida. By Paul Goldfinger who enjoys catching fish at Wegmans. © Left click for big bird
JOHN DENVER:
Out of a Dream, Into My Heart
Posted in Florida connection, Photography by Paul Goldfinger, Photography--Boca Grande/Gasparilla series, tagged Baby sees the dolphins, You stepped out of a dream on October 23, 2024|
See the dolphins! Gulf of Mexico. Florida. By Paul Goldfinger © 2014
NAT KING COLE. From a 1941 musical “A Ziegfield Girl.” It became Lana Turner’s theme song.
Baby, I love your way….
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Florida connection, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery, Black and White, tagged Wedding in Ft. Myers Florida on October 8, 2024|
Hablas de mi (Speak of me)
Posted in Florida connection, Florida connection on Blogfinger, Photography by Paul Goldfinger, tagged Gloria Estafan on Blogfinger on August 9, 2024|
Paul meets a camel in Fla La Land…a true conversation.
Posted in Florida connection, True Conversations on Blogfinger, tagged Paul meets a camel, SAmmy Davis on July 12, 2024|
Fla camel. Photo by Paul Goldfinger
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Ft. Myers, Fla
I was driving by K-Mart in Ft. Myers when I saw a camel by the side of the road. So I parked my car and walked a mile to see him. He was snacking on some grass when I strolled over to take his picture.
I asked him, “What’s going on?”
He said, “I hear they’re having a sale on lawn furniture.”
“Do you live here? “ I asked.
“I come down from Jersey in the winter. We travel in a long line on 95. We pack spices and silks.”
“Where are you from?” the camel asked.
“Ocean Grove, New Jersey” I said.
“Oh” said the camel. “Do you know Jack Bredin?”
Then he said that he was going to a costume party and didn’t know what to wear. I said, “Go as a camel.”
He said, “I did that last year, but a guy in a camel costume won the prize.”
I asked the camel if he liked walking in the desert. He said that it’s fine because he has 3 eyelids to protect him from sand.
But he wasn’t done chatting. He said, “The blue whale’s tongue is heavier than a fully grown elephant.”
The Tigoo PG photo
“No kidding,” I said. Then I spotted the tiger.
It seems a mini-zoo had set up camp by the side of the road. A little boy about three was looking at the tiger. He said to his mom, “Mommy, can I play with the tigoo?”
Mom said “no.”
It’s up-tight mothers like that who cause childhood neuroses.
I went back to the car, avoiding the pony rides, because the sign said that ponies bite.
—Paul Goldfinger
SAMMY DAVIS, JR.:
Lovers Key State Park: an erogenous zone
Posted in Blogfinger Dept. of Fake News, Florida connection, Florida connection on Blogfinger, Photography from Florida, tagged Lovers Key Beach on April 27, 2024|
Lovers’ Key near Fort Myers Beach is on the Gulf of Mexico. It is beautiful and popular, but you must pass a physical to be admitted. Photo by Paul Goldfinger who once said, “Speak softly and carry a long lens.” February 2015
Two year update. 2017:
March 14, 2017. Now that Viagra will soon be available in a cheaper generic version, Florida officials at Lovers Key Beach expect that many more men will pass the physical making the crowds there bigger.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB “Murmullo.” This song title translates to a “murmur.” As a cardiologist I have extensive experience with murmurs , but the Buena Vista Social Club undoubtedly has something else in mind, and when checking in at Lovers Beach, we know what that’s all about. Do you speak Spanish?
Puttin’ On the Ritz. Blogfinger Visits Florida’s Gasparilla Inn. Join Us for a Peek.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Florida connection, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography--Boca Grande/Gasparilla series on April 19, 2024| 1 Comment »
Front entrance to the Gasparilla Inn located in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, Florida. All photos by Paul Goldfinger © 2014. Click all photos to get bigger views.
Side view. Condé Nast rated the Gasparilla Inn among the top resorts in Florida. The Boca Grande beach is number two of Travel and Leisure’s “best little beach towns in America.”
By Paul Goldfinger, travel editor @Blogfinger. Re-posted from 2014.
If you were a big shot one hundred years ago, like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison or Harvey Firestone, you would have wanted a high-tone place off Florida’s Gulf Coast, where you could rendezvous in the winter with like-minded society people from the northeast who enjoyed the finer things in life.
After all, the weather here in the winter is unsurpassed. Perhaps you enjoyed golf or going deep sea fishing with your friends, but at the end of the day, you would prefer 4 star cuisine and only the best accommodations for friends and family.
Gasparilla Island seemed like the perfect place to establish a first class hotel where the rich could mix pleasure, privacy and business. 1,000 years ago the first visitors to the region were the Calusa Indians—fishermen who built mysterious sea shell mounds.
In the 18th century, a Spanish pirate named Jose Gaspar plundered the waters near here. The fishing around this barrier island is remarkable, and going after the mighty tarpon is among the best sport fishing experiences in the world.
We took a ride north from Fort Myers to spend the day on the island. There is only one way in and one way out. The hotel was built in 1913 and is picture perfect, with the ambience of Old Florida and with a style of understated luxury. It is on the U.S .Register of Historic Places.
People tool around in golf carts, and the town of Boca Grande, where it is located, is classy but very low key. We had lunch al fresco in town at the Loose Caboose where they serve excellent grouper sandwiches and homemade ice cream which was a favorite of Katherine Hepburn—she even wrote about it.
Eileen (l) and sister Hope hanging out at the Loose Caboose. Pink is an important color there—said Lilly Pulitzer.
Downtown Boca Grande. While their parents ordered lunch at the Loose Caboose, these sisters strolled across the street to learn beading.
The décor at the Inn is done in bright colors with all sorts of nautical themes around. Pinterest.com mentions “the pinks, greens, chintz, wicker, rattan and sea shells.” The golf course is surrounded by water, and a guest calls it “golf heaven.” The beach club is one block away.
People here are dressed in a certain fine casual style: Docksiders (no socks), flowery and colorful casual dresses/skirts (on the women), and khaki Bermuda shorts for the men held up with belts that have fish and lobsters on them. You don’t see too many women in pants or short shorts or gaudy jewelry, or big hair, and not a chance of cleavage. The men like golf shirts or bright colored short sleeve polos.
The downtown is small, consisting of a few streets with restaurants and gift shops. There is a popular store called an “outfitter” which provides fishing gear and clothing that breathes and has an spf rating . I actually saw two guys walk in and one said to the other, “Let’s buy some really expensive gear and go fishing.”
George H.W. Bush and his family come to the Gasparilla Inn for Christmas and New Year’s. The former president is known to be an avid golfer who goes out even in cold wet weather. I asked a young waiter at the Inn if the locals call the shrubs “George bushes.” He smiled but he was not enthused.
Eileen and her sister Hope were reluctant to walk into the front door. So I thought positive and entered. They cautiously followed. Inside we walked around, and no one challenged our credentials. The staff and guests were relaxed and easy- going. I took photos, but no one objected. I usually don’t like fancy places, but the Gasparilla Inn seemed just perfect to add to my bucket list. I think I’ll start one now.
Here’s a photo tour of the Gasparilla Inn:
Living room. ©
Dining room. All light fixtures burn candles . ©
Serving tea. The staff is immaculate in dress and manners. ©
The bar. ©
Pampered dogs get chauffeured around in a golf cart. And there is a fine and spacious dog park.
BING CROSBY (“Puttin’ on the Ritz” was written in 1929 by Irving Berlin.)
Seeking Wisdom or Love? It’s open season at the beach.
Posted in Florida connection, Music from the movies, Photographic Gallery, Color, tagged Open Season by the High Highs on March 14, 2024|
Fort Myers, Fla Photo by Paul Goldfinger
“Open Season” (It’s all in your mind) by the High Highs–from the film Pitch Perfect: