Excellent bird watching on Pine Island

  Yesterday was an excellent day for bird watching on Pine Island!  I started out on my bike ride just before dawn and noticed  not one, but two, beautiful great horned owls just across the street from my home in Bokeelia.

Then I biked down to Pineland, and went out on the pier on Batty's landing and found these two wood storks fishing on a low tide.

Then I continued on my bike ride to back bay Bokeelia, Jug Creek, and found a small flock of
beautiful White Pelicans.











Later in the day, I had lunch with my sister in law Anne Foye down at Hobo's in Saint James City (great fish chowder) and these two Bald Eagles had built a nest in the Australian pine trees near the Saint Jude Trail.

Pine Island is such a beautiful natural place, that provides habitat to an incredible number of bird species, as well as lots of mammals (otters, rabbits, squirrels, armadillos, possum, coyote, bobcate, bats, wild pigs and maybe even a panther), reptiles and amphibeans. Not to mention an incredible number of dragonflies and butterflys.
If you are interested in finding a home or land on Pine Island, contact me, Erika Foye, Real Estate Broker for All Island Realty, Inc. at erikafoye@embarqmail.com

Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill far from Pine Island

The Deep Water Spill is a horrendous environmental and economic disaster.  The under statement of the century maybe.    Everyone who lives on the Gulf of Mexico is waiting with great anxiety, hoping the spill will soon be stopped and clean up efforts will be ramped up.  Still, the oil, because of currents and wind patterns, should stay about 200 miles off Pine Island, Florida.  Our Florida Senator Bill Nelson said On Friday June 11, that Southwest Florida  area is "the least threatened part of the Florida penisula, at least for the immediate future".  Nelson is calling for the military to take over cleaning up oil, and I agree.  Please everyone contact your elected representatives, in support of greatly expanded clean up efforts on the Gulf of Mexico, and for BP to put $20 Billion into an escrow fund to pay for the clean up.  So far, BP is only suggesting $2 Billion to put in escrow to pay for the cleanup, that certainly won't cut it.  For more informative websites on how to help, go to http://www.noaa.gov/ and http://www.seizebp.org/, and http://www.handsacrossthesand.org/   Please help save the Beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  Contact your representatives!  Thank you, Erika Foye

February and March Events on Pine Island, Florida

Birds of a feather are flocking together on Pine Island, where you will find a wide variety of events and activities:

February 19:  Pine Island Marina in St. James City hosts a free fishing seminar at 7 pm
February 20:  The Elks in Bokeelia are sponsoring "Sounds of Pine Island" with a variety of bands from 11 am to 6 pm
February 20:  Randell Reserach Center in Pineland hosts a lecture on coastal archeology on Peru at 2 pm.  $5 donation is requested
February 20:  Guided nature walk through Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park on Little Pine Island from 9 AM-12 pm, reserve your place by calling 941-575-5861.  Visit www.floridastateparks.org/charlotteharbor
February 21:  Redfish Fishing Tournament, for more info call Jim Frock at 239-283-1674.
February 27:  Annual Mullet Toss in Matlacha Park.  Contact http://www.matlachamariners.org/
February  27:  Pine Island Garden Club annual Garden Gala at Phillips Park in Pine Island Center.  More info: http://www.pineislandgardenclub.org/
March 6:  Rubber Duck races for the Caloosa Land Trust annual fund raiser will be at Woody's Waterside Pub in St. James City.  Festivities begin at noon including music and games, with races starating at 4 pm.
March 13: Breast Cancer 5K Walk at the St. James City Civic Center on at 8:30 a.m.  To register:  http://www.fromourheart.org/.
March 20:  Classic Boat Show at St. James Marina in St. James City, benefits the Beacon of Hope.  More info: http://www.harborboatshow.com/
Come and discover beautiful Pine Island.  For more information about Pine Island Real Estate, contact me, Erika Foye, Real Estate Broker at erikafoye@embarqmail.com or visit http://www.pineislandhomesandland.com/

Pine Island Florida Publications

Hello on-line readers. There are also some paper publications that cover Pine Island. Our weekly newspaper is The Pine Island Eagle (http://www.pineisland-eagle.com/) A new monthly paper publication that focuses on boating and fishing all around Southwest Florida, but often has features about Pine Island is Nautical Mile (http://www.nauticalmileenterprises.com/) Also their website http://www.destinationpineisland.com/ claims it is the only Pine Island visitor guide. Finally don't forget to email me, Erika Foye, at erikafoye@embarqmail.com to sign up for my free quarterly paper newsletter Pine Island Times that focuses on the Pine Island lifestyle and real estate information. I hope to have my newsletter Pine Island Times on line soon. I am an accredited buyer's representative and specialize in helping buyers of real estate on beautiful Pine Island, Florida.

March 2009 Events on Pine Island, Florida

This weekend, March 7, will be the annual "Rubber Duck" races at Woody's Restaurant in St. James City, noon - 5 pm. Proceeds benefit the Calusa Land Trust, our local land preservation group. March 14, enjoy the annual "Mullet Toss" at Old Fish House Marina in Matlacha, featuring food, entertainment and more. March 21, the Matlacha Hookers host a rummage sale at the Bank of America to benefit their scholarship fund. Also on March 21, the Kiwanis host Kiwanis Day at the Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City, featuring shrimp specials and served by Kiwanis, to benefit Kiwanis scholarship fund. Here's a photo of Woody's, complete with Rubber Duck, and a shrimp boat on the Monroe Canal. For more info about Pine Island, and Pine Island real estate, contact me, Erika Foye, buyer's broker and accredited buyer's representative at erikafoye@embarqmail.com.

More about Foreclosures and Short Sales on Pine Island, Florida

I have a lot of people asking me about short sales and foreclosures on Pine Island. These properties are selling fast. At the beginning of January, there were about 50 short sale or foreclosure properties for sale. Now, there are 29 short sale or foreclosure properties for sale. If you are interested in this type of property and would like a free list of short sale or foreclosed on properties on Pine Island, contact me, Erika Foye, Real Estate Broker, at erikafoye@embarqmail.com. I am an accredited buyer's representative. Here is a photo (left) of a short sale property that just went under contract in Bokeelia, priced at $122,500. The home on the right is a foreclosed on home that was just listed (with another broker) at $123,500. To search for Pine Island, Florida real estate on your own, setting your own criteria, you can set up your own account at http://www.pineisland.listingbook.com/.

Wind Surfers off Pine Island, Florida

Pine Island weather is usually pretty fine, but the past month on Pine Island, the weather has been incredibly idyllic, with sunny blue skies, light wind (for the most part), warm days and starry nights, with temperatures from the low 80's during the day to the high 50's or low 60's at night. It's been perfect weather for painting my telephone pole, with great assistance from my husband Marty. My painting is of a coyote barking at the moon. My pole painting is not polished as most, but I am happy with the result as it is a tribute to our dog Bear, a chow shepherd mix who passed on last year.

The one wild and windy day was last Wednesday when a brief stormy front passed through. . .the wind was howling and the waves were whipped up on Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. My friends Lisa and Cindy took advantage of the wind to go wind surfing and I was really impressed with their ability to go flying over the water at such a high speed, and actually steer. Here are a few photos of that day. For more information about Pine Island real estate, contact me, Erika Foye, at erikafoye@embarqmail.com or go to my website http://www.pineislandhomesandland.com/ .

Pine Island Florida Wild Life

One of the great things about Pine Island is the abundant wildlife, especially birds, that you can enjoy seeing in almost any Pine Island neighborhood. Today on a morning bike ride, I saw, among other things, a group of wood storks, an American kestrel, and a corn snake. I take along my copy of "National Audubon Field Guide to Florida" to help me identify the various species. Real estate sales are somewhat slow, as evidenced by the 5 sales during the first half of November, shown on the left. For more information about Pine Island real estate, contact me, Erika Foye, at erikafoye@embarqmail.com

Record Turnout at Pine Island Polling Places

I've been keenly following the presidential election and now it is a relief to have it finally over. I counted the votes in Pine Island's five precincts published in the Ft. Myers News Press Wednesday. There was a total of 6006 registered voters, and of these 5,228, a record 87%!!! of Pine Islanders voted. 57.5% (3011) voted for Senator McCain, 40.28% (2106) voted for Senator Obama, 2.5% voted for other candidates.

I personally believe that Martin Luther King Jr's vision has been fulfilled "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal".

I was proud of my fellow Pine Islanders that 87% of the voters voted. Here's my burro Sparky, a symbol of the Democrats. It is my true wish now Democrats and Republicans will work together. For more information about Pine Island, or Pine Island real estate, contact me, Erika Foye at erikafoye@embarqmail.com.

Pony rides and politics on Pine Island, Florida

Wow, what a nice day on Pine Island. I ran into an old friend, Laura, and did some flag waving, political stuff. Then I stopped by Koucky Galleries and Studio's in Bokeelia. Leslie Arias from Freedom Property Maintenance was there with her husband, son and darling pony "Macho". He's about the same size as my burro Sparky, maybe they can be buddies! "Macho" is a very gentle, miniature horse and is available for pony rides in the local Pine Island area. Contact Leslie Arias at freedompropertymaintenance@yahoo.com. for more pony ride info!

Here's some photo's of a great day!

November Events on Pine Island, Florida

Some of the big events of the year are coming up this month on Pine Island! Next weekend is the 3 day Blue Way Paddling Festival (Oct 31-Nov 2) There will be a kayak fishing tournament in Matlacha on Saturday and a kayak race on Matlacha Bay on Sunda. Events sponsored by the Calusa Land Trust include: Saturday Nov 1 at 10AM a kayak trip to Kalusa Island will depart from Jug Creek Cottages in Bokeelia. Kayaks will be available to rent on site from Tropic Star. For more info. about the Calusa Land Trust, contact www.calusalandtrust.org

On Saturday Nov 1 at 4 pm there will be a sunset kayak cruise from the Boa Ramp on Marie Lane near Pine Island Center. Some kayaks will be available to rent there too. On Sunday Nov 2, the Calusa Land Trust will sponsor a hiking tour on the St. Jude Trail in St. James City. For more information about the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival: http://www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com/

Also next weekend, from Oct 31-Nov 2, the Pine Island Airport in Bokeelia will sponsor a "fly-in" for small plane enthusiasts. For more info: http://www.ucanfly2.com/

On November 14-16, various Pine Island Art Galleries will sponsor artistic events, dubbed a "Florida Creative Coast Weekend", just check out the many art galleries in Matlacha and St. James City.

Finally, November 15, the Matlacha Mariners sponsor a fun music festival at the KOA resort in St. James City, featuring many live bands, arts and crafts, and lots of good food from local restaurants. For more info: http://www.matlachamariners.com/

Still Swimming Weather on Pine Island, Florida

As the weather up north starts to turn fall like, its still summery here on Pine Island, and we're swimming at the end of every day to cool off. There are some great real estate buys right now, 27 homes priced under $200,000. Despite the bad news from Wall Street, lenders are still lending to borrowers who have 20% to put down and have a good credit rating.

Now is a great time to take the plunge and get a place on Pine Island! This our Corgi "Jack" who loves to dive for tennis balls.

If you are looking for an experienced Pine Island, Florida Realtor, please contact me, Erika Foye, at 239-560-8514 or www.pineislandhomesandland.com.

Fishing and Flying around Pine Island, Florida

Summer time is quiet on Pine Island but also one of the best times of the year to enjoy the islands. There is little traffic, on the roads, on the water, or in the sky.

Fishing is probably the number one Pine Island past time and summer brings in lots of popular fish, including snapper, Spanish mackeral, snook, trout, redfish, pompano and many more.

There is also a small airport for recreational pilots in northeast Pine Island (see http://www.ucanfly2.com/) where small prop. planes and ultra lights take off. For more information about finding a place of your own on Pine Island, check out my websites: http://www.pineislandhomesandland.com/ or http://www.pineisland.listingbook.com/.

Waterfront Buys on Pine Island Florida

There are some really great buys for water front Pine Island homes and lots right now. Salt water, gulf access water front lots start at $139,900. Salt water front, gulf access manufactured homes start around $179,000. Salt water front, gulf access single family homes start at about $246,000. for a really cute two bedroom, one bath cottage on a large lot. This home on Lemon Street in St. James City sold last week for $307,000, which is a buy considering a deep water lot nearby just closed for $250,000. If you are looking for a buy on water front properties on beautiful Pine Island, now is a great time to look. Waterfront prices are the best they've been in at least 4, maybe 5 years. For more information, go to my website www.pineislandhomesandland.com

Signs of Spring on Pine Island, Florida

Hong Kong orchids blooming is one of the signs of an early Spring here on Pine Island. March 1 is warm, windy and humid. Also a sign of Spring are various birds arriving, like the swallow tailed kite and whipperwill I saw last week. Real estate sales are picking up, as the least expensive properties on the market are selling. For more information about Pine Island real estate, go to http://www.pineislandhomesandland.com/ or sign up to search for real estate on your own at http://www.pineisland.listingbook.com/. If you'd like to know more about Pine Island, ask me for my paper quarterly newsletter, Pine Island Times. Email me, Erika Foye, at erikafoye@embarqmail.com .

Star Fruit Growing in February on Pine Island

It's been a warm winter on Pine Island with only a few cold (cool) fronts. Mango that usually start growing in May, June and July are already sprouting on many trees. Starfruit is ripe and falling off the trees. On my bike ride this morning, I noticed a ripe smell reminiscent of apple or crab apple orchards in the fall in my native Pennsylvania. But as I approached, I noticed acres of screened in starfruit was ripe or overripe, falling from the trees. Starfruit is also known as carambola and is pretty tart, used in tropical fruit salads. Other tropical fruit the grow on Pine Island include coconuts, lychee, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, avocado, papaya, lemons, limes and jackfruit.

Eagles at Dawn on Pine Island

It was a cool and breezy morning and eagles were cheeping outside my front door this morning. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures of these large eagles alight on the dead tree across the road from me. The one on top is probably the male, watching over the female eating a fish.

Pine Island Florida Has Affordable Housing

Florida Islands are sometimes thought of as enclaves of exclusivity, but Pine Island is different and diverse. While there are million dollar homes here, there are also more affordable homes. There are 26 single family homes priced under $200,000. , the median price of those is $164,900. There are also several dozen manufactured homes priced under $150,000. in waterfront communities with boat ramps. Living on the island, one is never more than 2 miles from the water and a short drive or bike to many parks and marinas.

This home on Avocado Drive in St. James City sold this week for $185,000. For more information about housing or real estate on Pine Island, Florida, email me at erikafoye@embarqmail.com or check out my website www.pineislandhomesandland.com

Pine Island Florida - This and That

It was a quiet week on Pine Island. We had the first real cold front of the season with temps dipping into the mid 40's at night. Delicious jeans and sweatshirt weather. Here are a few random scenes from around the island - An osprey preening on a Pine Tree in St. James, stonecrabs fresh off the boat on Palm Street, and one of my favorite cottages, looking out over Matlacha Bay. License plates from the mid-west, the middle Atlantic and some New Englanders are starting to show up, but still no more than a few cars are lined up at the 4-way stop coming on to the island. No stop lights on Pine Island.

Fall is Here on Pine Island

The first week of November and fall is here! Beautiful warm days (70's) and cool nights (50's) have come to Pine Island, along with low humidty and beautiful clear skys. Perfect weather for kayaking, fishing, biking and being outside. No more airconditioning is needed!

Places to launch your kayak on Pine Island include Matlacha community park, Pineland park on waterfront drive, and Tropical Point park in Matlacha. These are also great places to fish from shore.