The Wandering Disciple

An alligator lays out in the sunshine at Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers. Alligators are cold-blooded and rely on the warmth of the sun to help them regulate their body temperature. On really hot days, gators can be seen laying on the bank of a river or pond with their mouth open. He isn't just showing off his mouth full of sharp teeth, this is actually a cooling mechanism similar to that of a dog panting. (Photo: February 19, 2017)

At the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers, they give a hoot about native wildlife. In fact, the nature center is a rehabilitation facility for some of Florida's wild residents like this screech owl here. The center cares for several birds of prey, mammals and even reptiles. The animals here have been rescued from the local area and are unable to be released back into the wild due to injury. You can check these guys out during a visit to the center and your admission goes to help support the care of the animals. (Photo: January 22, 2017)

Taking a stroll along the wooden boardwalk at Calusa Nature Center transports you into the heart of a Cypress Swamp. The Cypress Swamp is a wetland ecosystem characterized by the bald cypress tree and slow moving waterways. The swamp provides a home for alligators, snakes, wading birds and much more. (Photo: February 21, 2016)

A turtle climbs out of the water to take a break on a rock in its habitat at the Calusa Nature Center.  The nature center is a sanctuary for all types of animals including reptiles like this turtle through birds of prey like the bald eagle.  (Photo: February 19, 2017)

A rehabilitating screech owl tries to sneak in a nap at the Calusa Nature Center.  The nature center in Fort Myers is home to many species of wildlife that have injuries that prevent them from being released into the wild like this screech owl.  (Photo: January 22, 2017)

Spring is right around the corner and the wildflowers are starting to brighten up the woods as seen on this hiking trail at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. The mild temperatures and weekly rainfall have helped to keep colorful flowers in bloom all winter this year. (Photo: February 21, 2016)

Looking like a masked bandit, a raccoon passes by visitors of the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium.  The nature center is home to many native Florida animals including raccoon, turtles, bald eagles, hawks, owls and much more.  (Photo: February 21, 2016)

A cottonmouth snake lies in the brush along the hiking trail at Calusa Nature Center.  This snake was a great reminder that we are in their house when we go hiking and provides an important reminder of how important it is to watch where you walk and to always be aware of your surroundings.  The cottonmouth is one of six venomous snakes that can be found in Florida joining the Southern Copperhead, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake and Coral Snake as the Sunshine State's poisonous viper club.  (Photo: February 21, 2016)

The bright green colors standout among the cypress trees on the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. The Cypress Swamp Boardwalk is one of three hiking trails available to visitors to the 105 acre nature center. (Photo: February 21, 2016)

A pair of gators bask in the Florida sun at the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers. The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a 105 acre facility with a nature center, planetarium, aviary, butterfly garden and hiking trails. We will have more photos and a full review from today's visit online in the coming days. (Photo: February 21, 2016)

Fort Myers, Florida: A top rated attraction in the Fort Myers area, the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium gives visitors a look at the natural world around them from the earth to the sky and all inhabitants in between. Our visit began with the nature center. Here they had exhibits of the native wildlife that can be found in Southwest Florida. While some were just stuffed, there were plenty of live animals here including a large collection of reptiles. Beneath the nature center is a few aviaries featuring a bald eagle, several hawks and owls. There is also some alligators, foxes, raccoons and skunks. Next to the aviary is a butterfly garden with colorful plants and butterflies. Then we went on the hiking trails. Calusa offers three hiking trails. We started with the Wildlands Trail, but the trail was not accessible for my nephew’s stroller so we backtracked to the Cypress Swamp Trail. The Cypress Swamp Trail was a nice walk on an elevated boardwalk through the swamp. ...