Naples Botanical Gardens and the "Nature Connects" LEGO Art Exhibit - Adventure Saturday #3

This past Saturday we found ourselves adventuring at the Naples Botanical Gardens.  First I have to say that I'm ashamed to have lived in Naples for 13 years having never been to this beautiful place.  But as fate would have it, we picked a great time to go.  Why?  LEGOs!  Need I say more? 

The 'Nature Connects - Art with LEGO's' exhibit has been at the Gardens since February.  Unfortunately it closes this Sunday, May 11th, but there's still a little bit of time to go check it out for yourselves.  Nearby each sculpture is a plaque detailing how many LEGO bricks it took to build each piece.  Some were upwards of 40,000.  Even if you're not a fan small plastic building blocks (and if you're not there's something seriously wrong with you) I assure you these remarkable sculptures will awe and delight you. The man behind all the wonderful LEGO madness is Sean Kenney.  This very exhibit will making it's way across America throughout 2016.  Check out his page for a location nearest you.

Now there's still plenty to see once the LEGO exhibit is gone.  The Gardens are divided into several themed exhibits: Asian, Brazilian, Florida, Children, Water, Carribean and then there is an area of mostly untouched preserve.  There is even an Idea Garden where visitors are encouraged to touch the plants and flowers and glean ideas for their own private gardens at home.  

One of the neat things about this place is that they offer a variety events and classes as well: "...gardening, horticulture, nature-inspired art, and our local natural environment."  The nature-inspired art class is right up my alley! Unfortunately, there won't be much available until the fall as the Gardens will be closed from June 2 - Oct 22 for renovations.

Naples Botanical Gardens is splendid way to spend a morning or an afternoon, enjoying nature and strolling through some of the most breathtaking landscaping you'll see anywhere.  Check it out sometime, you won't be disappointed.

Bird Garden of Naples - AS # 2

Last Adventure Saturday took mom and I to the Bird Garden of Naples. Located just a stone's throw away from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  It is the home of over 200 exotic birds as well as the private residence of owner Keri Lohrman.

I have to say, when mom and I first pulled up to the site we weren't really sure what to make of it. From the outside (and I stress from the outside) it didn't look like much... to the point where we considered turning around and taking our Adventure Saturday someplace else.  This is a prime example of the saying 'Don't judge a book by it's cover.'

Our tunes changed immediately upon meeting Keri herself.  She came out to greet us with her adorable (and very well trained) Pitbulls in tow.

Keri is a complete delight.  She is a wealth of information and doesn't waste her opportunity to educate others about the environment, the birds, and even the neighborhood.  Lessons started right away as we were awaiting more visitors and once everyone was accounted for our guided tour began.

While the birds themselves are obviously the highlight and reason for visiting the gardens in the first place, it is Keri's vast knowledge of each of these birds (their names, ages, and individual stories) that really make the tour something special.  As we pass each one she introduces them by name: Morticia and Gomez, Ike and Tina, Murphy, Riley, Popeye, Junior, Stretch,  Olivia, Maximus.... the names go on and on.  I tried to keep track of them but eventually had to give up.

What's more amazing is this woman's patience and her enthusiasm for what she does.  She must've given this tour a million times but she still talks about each bird with the pride of any mother. There were several children on the tour with us and though they interrupted her several times to ask questions she never showed any signs of ruffled feathers (bad pun intended).  She patiently answered and continued on.

I can go on and on about Keri and this wonderful place but it is just something you have to experience for yourself.  The birds are beautiful (and even funny if you get talking to them) and each have their own unique story.  Most were relocated, some were rescued, some are Keri's own pets, and some she is even fostering until their owners can someday come claim them again.  Whatever their stories, they are clearly well cared for and loved. The Bird Garden of Naples is truly a beautiful and magical place to be.

To visit you must contact Keri directly to set up an appointment.  There is no cost to get in, but if you're not moved to donate something towards this remarkable cause then you have a heart of stone.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

This past weekend, me mum and I officially started our 'Adventure Saturdays' tradition.  We picked a place that we've been wanting to visit for years, but just never made the time for.  That place was Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

This wonderful park offers a 2.25 mile of boardwalk through the Sanctuary.  What's awesome is that each ticket is good for two consecutive days. You better believe mom and I took advantage of it.

A word of advice. GO. EARLY.  Why? I'm glad you asked.  For a couple of reasons:

1) In the cooler morning hours is when you'll have the best chance of seeing the most wildlife.  On day one we got there about 1030am.  By then the sun was high in the sky it was already nearing 80 degrees.  The birds were quiet and most of the wildlife had already retreated to seek shelter in the shade.  On day two we were there by 730am and let me tell you, what a difference! First off, we hadn't even gotten to the Sanctuary yet when we were treated to several sightings of deer. Then when we got to the grounds we were welcomed by the joyous singing of a multitude of birds.  It was wonderful!

I'm also going to include the very friendly rangers here as well.  There were none to be seen throughout the trail on day one (perhaps they too retreat into the shade at that time?), but on day two we ran into half a dozen.  A couple of them stopped to talk with us and impart their knowledge of the park, the animals and the flowers. One ranger in particular, I could have listened to her talk all day. When one visitor showed her a picture of some poo she had just passed, this ranger excitedly said, 'Oh goody, I'm really good with scat!' It was otter poo, by the way.  We must've just missed him crossing the path.  Drat! Or should I say 'Poop!' ;-) 

2) Less people!  On day one by 1030am there was already quite a bit of people scattered throughout the park. Some of them were... I don't know.... considerate? and respectful? of the fact that most wildlife will bolt the other direction at the sound of human voices.  Not everyone, however paid any heed to the several signs posted to SHUT YOUR FACE while on the path.  There were kids running and screaming up and down the path and their parents weren't any better at using their quiet voices. On day two, however, there were so few people in the park that early in the morning. There was virtually no worry at all that some loud idiot would scare away what we came there to see in the first place, the wildlife. 

So what did we see...

...some busy bees.

...a barn owl

...baby anhinga's.

...the endanger wood stork.

...a baby gator.

...a sleeping baby barn owl.

...baby barn owl.
(What fun we had watching this little guy for over 20 minutes as he played cat and mouse with a squirrel.)

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary became famous in 2007 when the elusive flower known as Ghost Orchid was discovered to be in bloom there. The rare flower can only be found in Southwest Florida and Cuba and once in bloom only lasts 1-2 weeks before turning yellow and wilting.  They typically start blooming in June/July and continue to bloom throughout the summer. 

Before their famous cousin, the Ghost Orchid steals the show in a few months, there are some blooms already visible along the trail...

...Blue Flag Iris.

...Delicate Ionopsis Orchid
(the soft pink flowers amongst the bramble).

..Fakahatchee Beak Orchid.

 
A very excited volunteer ranger was eager to share this little bit information with me so I'll share it here. Corkscrew is the site of the worlds largest ancient virgin Bald Cypress forest. So there... yet another reason to visit this wonderful place.

Another word of advice: pack a lunch. There is a cafe on site that offer food and drink, but is terribly expensive.  You can't take food out onto the trail, but you can enjoy your meal out on to the lovely deck just outside the cafe.

On the whole, mom and I had a great time. We took my dad out on day two as well. Busy man as he is, it is sometimes difficult to get him to slow down long enough to smell the roses. He did yesterday, though, and he was glad to join in on our adventure.

This has been a great start to our Adventure Saturdays!  The next one is in two weeks - location to be determined soon!

~M

Exploration Naples, FL

Hi. My name is Michelle.

I happen to be fortunate enough to live in a little slice of paradise called Naples, FL.  I've been here since 2001 (September 11, 2001 to be precise), and it is about as different from my New Jersey home state as could possibly be. Though I occasionally get homesick for the North, I've really come to love Southwest, Florida. 

I recently came to the realization that I have never truly taken the opportunity to get to know this beautiful place I now call home.  Like most people, when you live somewhere you take for granted what visitors will go out of their way to make time for.

Well no more.

I have made a pact with myself that at least two times a month I will go and explore something new in Naples or the surrounding area within Collier County. Joining me on this adventure will be my lovely mother, Molly.  Together we will explore new places and try new things right here in our own backyard, hopefully with a camera and perhaps a notebook in hand.

And I would love to share our adventures with you...

We informally started this journey yesterday morning when we went on tour via Pure Naples in Tin City.

More about this trip will be forth coming, but for now I just wanted to get down the premise of this blog.  I hope any who follows will enjoy and even follow in our footsteps.

Find ways to take life by the horns, spend time with people you love, and appreciate and enjoy where you live. I'm starting to.  What about you?

~Michelle