Wildlife
OTTERS Nestled along the sun-drenched shores of Southwest Florida, Whiskey Creek in Fort Myers is more than just a serene waterway—it’s a thriving playground for one of the region’s most charismatic residents: the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). This 3.5-mile-long tidal creek, flowing into the Caloosahatchee River, offers the perfect blend of brackish waters, […]
Wildlife
NANDAY PARAKEET The Nanday parakeet is a noisy, invasive species that’s hard to miss. Their loud, ratchety squawks often draw attention to flocks of bright green birds marked with distinct black heads—hence their nickname, the “black-hooded parakeet.” Once native to Central and South America, Nanday parakeets became established in Florida after escaping or being released […]
Catch The Action
NOVEMBER ON THE WATER This month we have days with pleasant weather and often combine summer and winter fishing conditions from week to week. As cool fronts drop down the state our coastal waters are cooling down. With the change, fish are transitioning from summer to winter patterns. November brings a mix of warm and […]
Wildlife
MONARCH BUTTERFLIES Monarch butterflies are large, orange and black butterflies known for their long migrations, traveling thousands of miles from North America to central Mexico for winter. They have a wingspan of about 3 to 4 inches, with males sporting brighter colors and a distinctive black spot on their hind wings. Their lifecycle includes four […]
Catch The Action
SEPTEMBER ON THE WATER With the arrival of September, the end of summer is in sight as we gradually break away from long, hot, muggy days, and slowly transition to shorter, cooler days of autumn. This is welcoming news for anglers fishing around Southwest Florida. Days become less humid with a slight drop in temperature, […]
Wildlife
The American Kestrel The American kestrel is a small, slender falcon about the size of a mourning dove, but with a larger head, narrow wings, and a long, square-tipped tail. In flight, its wings often appear bent, with the tips swept back. From below, kestrels look pale, while their backs are a warm, rusty brown […]
Wildlife
THE NORTHERN CARDINAL The northern cardinal, commonly referred to simply as the cardinal, is a small bird found in Florida, notable for its striking red crest. Males are particularly recognized for their vibrant red plumage, which covers almost their entire body, apart from a distinctive black face mask and throat. In contrast, female cardinals are […]
Saving Citrus – One Tree At A Time
A CITRUS TREE ON THE FORD PROPERTY AT THE ESTATES WITH LAST YEAR’S FRUIT Recently, a team from the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in Immokalee visited Edison and Ford Winter Estates to discuss the work they are doing on behalf of the estates to save the Henry Ford citrus grove […]
Wildlife
THE GREEN HERON The green heron is a dark, stocky bird characterized by its hunching posture and long, slender legs. It is often found at the water’s edge, where it tends to retreat behind a tangle of leaves to avoid being seen. This species is quite common in open areas of wetlands. One distinguishing feature […]
What’s Blooming: Crape Myrtle
Often mistaken for dead trees during the winter season, the family of Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtles, are bursting forth with blooms ranging from white to deep magenta. At Edison and Ford Winter Estates, we have an unusually rare collection of species, as well as some uniquely tropical specimens. The old-world spelling of crape probably originated in […]