Sanibel Island

There comes a time when Clyde and I emotionally need the horizon. It’s hard to explain, but we found ourselves longing to see beyond, so we decided to spend a couple of weeks on Sanibel Island photographing and staring out over the Gulf of Mexico at the horizon. Peace…

The Castaways ~ I was so happy to see that the Castaways cottages on the beach were still there. So many hurricanes have hit the island since I was back to this area. It’s a wonderful place to stay.

Sanibel Island is known for its abundance of sea shells.

We took a drive through JN Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. It’s one of our favorite places on the island.

Islander Trading Post Antiques ~ And…of course, I LOVE funk!! — hand-painted photograph

for sizes and price: CLICK HERE

The next day we checked out Point Ybel where the lighthouse is located.

Clyde checking out the area

Point Ybel Lighthouse

Sanibel is known for its beaches and seashells, so we decided to take some time to enjoy the beach at Point Ybel, which is where the lighthouse is located.

Long ago in times past....no, it wasn't that long ago! In 1998, I (Niki) took my first photograph of the Sanibel Island Lighthouse and hand-painted the image. I have just finished hand-painting the second photograph you see below. I was amazed at the change in the environment around the lighthouse. Sanibel has survived several hurricanes and storms since 1998, and the beach protecting the lighthouse has gotten smaller and smaller each year. However, I am glad and thankful that the island folks have planted native trees and bushes that have roots to help hold the dirt and sand against the power of storms. The plants snuggle against the lighthouse, so it is safe.

Sanibel Lighthouse 1 ~ hand-painted photograph - 1998

For sizes and prices CLICK HERE

Sanibel Island Lighthouse 2 ~ hand-painted photograph - 2020

(I just finished hand-painting this photo and it is not yet on my website)

Clyde with his Leica camera

Clyde photographed the lighthouse on several different days, however on this day, there were no clouds. Not only that, the only cloud was a jet trail, so he didn’t care for the image. His final photograph of the lighthouse is below where the lighthouse is snuggled between the green earth and the soft clouds.

Point Ybel Lighthouse ~ Clyde used his Fugi GFX 100 and Cannon 50mm tilt and shift — For sizes and prices CLICK HERE

We had a wonderful day at the lighthouse and beach. As we headed home the sun began to set and filled the sky with colors that gave everything a warm glow. That was followed by one of the most fierce lightening storms I’ve ever encountered! All those lightening strikes in the image above are over Sanibel Island. You can’t even see the outline of the island for all the strikes! Of course we lost electricity for a while, but it was re-established within a hour or so.

The lighthouse is still in great condition, however, much of the beach has been washed away. It looks like the Sanibel community has planted a lot of native growth around the lighthouse so that the roots will help keep a hurricane from undermining the sand/dirt near the lighthouse. The community has come together to insure this piece of history always remains. LOVE IT!