Birds of a Feather

    I was riding my bicycle to the beach yesterday when a flock of Ibis blocked the bike path, forcing me to dismount, step aside and wait for them to pass. The birds wandered slowly about, appearing aimless, but I think they were feeding. After they moved on, I was able to continue on my way.

    A few minutes later, at the beach, a huge flock of Royal Terns settled down near me along the edge of the water. They stood about chattering to each other. Rather than feeding, this flock seemed more interested in socializing near the small breakers, the gulf breeze ruffling the feathers on their heads.

     Like the birds, people from all over the globe also flock to the Island. They gather on the beaches, happily hunting for shells on the exposed sandbars and in the shallow tide pools. These groups of people, flitting about in groups and darting from one shell mound to another, are birds of a feather.

Sanibel is a sanctuary island, a refuge, a place where wildlife and people are able to gather for survival as well as for socialization. The Island is not simply a destination, a location, a place to flock. Sanibel is a way of life and a way of living.