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Using a remote camera in the woods, photographer collects amazing array of wildlife photos

Using a remote camera in the woods, photographer collects amazing array of wildlife photos

Mark H. Bickel, Andrew West | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Andrew West, the award-winning photographer for The News-press and Naples Daily News, loves to go into the woods to produce some of his best images.

Deep in the woods.

For years now, West has been using a remote camera to get breath-taking photos of Southwest Florida’s wildlife. These photos have been featured on our different content platforms and the stunning images are a big hit with our audience.

The amazing thing about West’s vast collection of photos of critters in the wild is that the subjects often look like made an appointment with him to have their portrait taken. But nothing is “posing” here. The magic of the remote sensor camera, also known as a camera trap, is that it is activated by the movement of the animal, producing these uncanny moments in the natural world.

Click here to watch the video of Andrew West setting up his camera trap, and see some of the candid photos of animal life in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.

From wildlife to wonderful restaurants and entertainment indoors and out, Southwest Florida is a great place to live. Find a home in this vibrant area on the southwest coast of Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Plans advance for Hoffmanns’ new golf course and club in Southwest Florida

Plans advance for Hoffmanns’ new golf course and club in Southwest Florida

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Plans are in play for a new golf course and club near Estero.

On Oct. 24, the Hoffmann Family of Cos. announced the name of the development and shared more information about their vision for the development, as well as revealing the likely timetable for its opening.

The name: Pandion Club. It’s based on the scientific classification for the osprey (Pandionidae). The large, brown-and-white raptor is commonly spotted in Florida. It’s often used as a symbol for wealth.

In August, the Hoffmanns announced they had partnered with internationally renowned architect Kyle Phillips to design and build the new golf course on the site of the former Old Corkscrew Golf Club.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home in the golf mecca of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

What’s the hype over stone crab claws? Crack one open at these 7 Collier spots and see

What’s the hype over stone crab claws? Crack one open at these 7 Collier spots and see

Kendall Little, Robyn George | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

October brings two of Southwest Florida’s favorite things: cooler weather and stone crabs.

Stone crab season kicked off Wednesday, Oct. 15, and will be here for another shell-cracking 6½ months.

“Stone crabs are here, the weather is turning nice, and our seasonal guests are arriving each day,” said Grant Phelan, the CEO of Phelan Family Brands. “Best month of the year.”

Over on Matlacha in Lee County, Jesse Tincher couldn’t agree more.

“Oct. 15 is my favorite day of the year,” said the co-owner of Blue Dog Bar & Grill. “The last day of the season is the worst day. If I was stranded on an island and only had stone crabs to eat, I don’t want to be found.”

Collier County is home to Everglades City, a quaint fishing town widely recognized as the “Stone Crab Capital of the World.” Stone crab claws are a renewable resource because fishermen don’t need to kill the crabs to harvest the claws. Stone crabs start regrowing their claws within 30 to 90 days.

To help get you cracking, here are some of our favorite Collier spots to break out the hammer and bib for freshly prepared stone crab claws, plus where to buy your own to make at home.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out other restaurants like Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room serving stone crab claws.

Looking for a home close to delicious dining in Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

The Dunes golf course and club on Sanibel sells for $3 million, has link to new project

The Dunes golf course and club on Sanibel sells for $3 million, has link to new project

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel Island is under new ownership.

The club, including its recently refurbished championship 18-hole golf course, has been acquired by Fort Myers Future, a local real estate development company.

Property records show a purchase price of $3 million. The sale closed Oct. 15. It follows another Sanibel golf club that was bought in September by a different group.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Six awesome locations we recommend for kayaking and canoeing in Southwest Florida

Six awesome locations we recommend for kayaking and canoeing in Southwest Florida

Mark H. Bickel and Chad Gillis | Naples Daily News

Let’s have a paddle pow-wow.

And let’s admit, there’s no better place to do that than right here in Southwest Florida, a place some people might cal a paddler’s paradise.

Now that the weather is starting to become more “seasonal friendly” the next few months might be the best time to enjoy gliding in the water.

Why is Southwest Florida considered a great place to put a kayak or canoe in the water?

Warm, shallow waterways litter the coast, from small creeks and rivers on the mainland side to the open Gulf.

You can fish, ogle at the plethora of exotic birds, scan the horizon for dolphins or simply soak in the sun.

And paddling is a great way to get some exercise, all while enjoying a landscape people travel from across the world to see.

From the interior cypress swamps to the bays and beaches, water and small boats just go together here.

Here are our best places to paddle. Enjoy!

Cape Romano
Located at the northern edge of Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Romano is a popular destination for both day-trips and overnight adventures.

There are five more places to kayak in Southwest Florida. Read the full story on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home with easy access to the outdoor recreation of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Florida HOA and condo laws: Does the association have to fork over records when you ask?

Florida HOA and condo laws: Does the association have to fork over records when you ask?

Joseph Endicott, attorney Goede, DeBoest & Cross, special to the Naples Daily News

Q: I live in a condominium association and need access to my association’s official records but have been told that there are restrictions governing the manner and frequency in which I can request these documents. Is it permissible for my association to adopt restrictions on official records requests? S.F., Naples

A: One of the duties of condominium associations in Florida is to maintain official records of the association. The types of records that are considered official records are identified in Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, and cover a wide array of different documents, from voting records to building permits. These official record requirements enable associations to operate in a transparent manner and ensure that proper record keeping is maintained. Florida law requires that these official records be made available for inspection by a requesting owner within ten business days.

The board of directors for your association may choose to ensure that these record requests are handled as efficiently as possible and adopt procedures pursuant to their rule-making authority to do so. Among the procedures commonly established are receipt, frequency, and format restrictions. These procedures assist the association in processing requests as they come in, prevent abusive practices, and limit an overabundance of requests from overwhelming management staff.

Read the rest of the answer here, and the answer to this next question.

Q: I installed very nice custom tile on my lanai, and the association is now telling me that the tile must be removed in order to do some concrete restoration on the deck. The association is also telling me that the association will not replace the tile. This does not seem right. What is the law on this? D.M., Bonita Springs