Friday, February 8, 2013-Around Bonita Springs & Dolphin Boat Ride

Another busy day for the four of us started with a visit to the banyan tree in Old Bonita Springs.

 Everyone we take here really likes this tree and the site where it grows. Janelle and I imagined building a Swiss Family Robinson style tree house in it.

We also spent some time checking out the Flamingo Island Flea Market which is always a fun adventure for the people who visit with us.

Even though this was my fourth time at the market this season, I always find something to buy.

They have wonderful local fresh fruits and vegetables.

 We probably could have stayed at the market a lot longer, but we had an early afternoon reservation to take a boat ride on Estero Bay. 

We had been on this ride in January with Alyson and we were hopeful that we would see some dolphins again today.

Captain Dwight was again very entertaining and accommodating. 

He informed us that no dolphins were spotted on his earlier tours this morning. We were lucky or blessed in that we did see dolphins two times. They did come and play alongside our boat, but not as much as they did for Alyson.

 However, we did see a large herd or pod of manatees—I think the Captain counted 12 or more. On our last trip, we saw only two manatees and they were not together.

 

We found out where the ospreys go in the winter. We can identify with them preferring southwest Florida in February!

Captain Dwight let Janelle steer his boat and she did an excellent job of not getting us stuck in the shallow water. Otherwise, the Captain would have required all the women to get out and push. The water is very shallow in many places in this bay.

We came back to our condo and made dinner that we ate outside on the lanai while taking advantage of every second of this beautiful day.

Janelle was happy to finish up the Bunny Tracks ice cream that the Hausers left here.

And there was another beautiful sunset to end our day.