CCFW Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife

06/19/2026

Owl expert and CCFW Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife collaborator David Johnson has passed away. You can see from the comments below that his impact on the conservation of owls and the wildlife community was great. He spoke at the 2020 Burrowing Owl Festival, researched the impact of street lights on Cape Coral’s burrowing owls and helped band and measure owls at Bimini Basin. We are so thankful for David’s contributions - he will be missed.

06/14/2026

📸🦉 Our final spotlight in the Burrowing Owl Photo Contest winner series!

Today we're celebrating our Youth Category Honorable Mention photographers: Declan Hahne, August Lambert, and Lillian Lovejoy.

Their wonderful photos remind us why Cape Coral’s adorable burrowing owls are so loved and how important it is to appreciate and protect the wildlife that makes our community unique.

As we conclude this winner spotlight series, we want to thank everyone who submitted photos to the contest. We received so many outstanding images, and we look forward to featuring many of these beautiful burrowing owl photos in our communications throughout the year.

Congratulations to our honorees, and thank you for helping us celebrate the wildlife that makes Cape Coral so special! ❤️🦉

Photographers are identified on their individual photos.

06/13/2026

🦉✨ PHOTO SHOWCASE: Burrowing Owl Photo Contest winners!

Today we're recognizing our Adult Category Honorable Mention photographers:
Mark Gerlovin, James Strohmayer,
and Sara Lopez.

Their creative images showcase the unique personalities of Cape Coral’s famous burrowing owls and inspire all of us to appreciate the wildlife that makes our city so special.

Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition! 📸🦉
Photographers are identified on their individual photos.

06/12/2026

🦉📸 Continuing our PHOTO SHOWCASE of the Burrowing Owl Photo Contest winners!

Today we're featuring the Youth Category 2nd and 3rd Place winners, Joshua Michael Pilon and Victoria Pfeffer.

Their creativity and talent beautifully capture the charm of Cape Coral’s beloved burrowing owls. These adorable birds are a treasured part of our community and help make Cape Coral such a special place.

Thank you for inspiring us to appreciate the wildlife that surrounds us every day! ❤️🦉
Photographers are identified on their individual photos.

06/11/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Our Volunteer of the Month for May – Lynn Delahanty! 🎉

Lynn took on the important role of leading CCFW’s Merchandise Team last year. Merchandise sales are a vital source of funding for our organization and help connect wildlife lovers with our mission.

Lynn has championed merchandise sales at events throughout the year, including the Arts Festival, Burrowing Owl Festival, Ground Owl Day, our 25th Anniversary Celebration, and monthly meetings. She has also expanded our merchandise offerings by developing new designs and working with new vendors.

In addition, Lynn works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure inventory is organized, stocked, and available for every event. Her dedication and attention to detail have helped make our merchandise program a success.

Thank you, Lynn, for all you do to support CCFW!

06/08/2026

Here is another amazing species that calls Cape Coral home. Snail kites have been seen near Skyline and Gleason. Have you seen them in your neighborhood as well?

Interesting story. Snail kite populations were decreasing in Florida in the 2000’s - however the introduction of an invasive species threw them a lifeline. The invasive giant apple snail was introduced to Florida and was followed by a swift adaptation of the snail kite population to the new food source resulting in a rebound in the snail kite population. Kites adapted by evolving 8-12% larger beaks.

However, loss of habitats and draining of wetland continue to threaten this species.

In the wide-open marshes of central Florida, escargot is on the menu!

Meet the Snail Kite, a bird that glides slowly and lowly over the sawgrass. Unlike other birds of prey, Snail Kites have no need for speed, because they hunt only apple snails, which they eat using their unusually hooked bill.

06/07/2026

🎨 PHOTO SHOWCASE: 3rd Place –
Adult Category 🎨

We couldn't stop at just one third-place feature! Because the talent was so incredible this year, we had a tie.

Next up, we are proud to showcase our second third-place photograph from the Annual Burrowing Owl Photo Contest.

Let's hear it for Meg Durshimer from Wimauma, FL! 🥉🦉

Meg’s wonderful image shows how inquisitive the burrowing owls are. We are so grateful to amateur photographers like Meg who use their lenses to highlight the beauty of Florida's wildlife and support our conservation efforts!

06/06/2026

🎨 PHOTO SHOWCASE: 3rd Place –
Adult Category 🎨

Our winner spotlights continue! Today, we are thrilled to feature one of our two incredible third-place photographs from the Annual Burrowing Owl Photo Contest.

Please join us in celebrating Richard Fortune from right nearby on Sanibel Island, FL! 🥉🦉

Richard’s fantastic shot perfectly captures the beauty Cape Coral’s official city bird. It is local talent like this that beautifully reminds us why community support and wildlife conservation are so vital to protecting these wonderful creatures.

We have another 3rd place winner to feature next, plus our honorable mentions, so keep your eyes glued to our page!

06/05/2026

🎨 PHOTO SHOWCASE: 2nd Place – Adult Category 🎨

The winner showcases continue! Today, we are proud to feature the beautiful second-place photograph from our Annual Burrowing Owl Photo Contest.

Please join us in celebrating Stewart Ting Chong from Norwell, MA! 🥈🦉

Stewart traveled all the way from Massachusetts and captured a truly exceptional moment with Cape Coral’s official city bird. It’s so inspiring to see amateur photographers from all over the country share their talent while supporting our mission of wildlife conservation!

We still have more incredible, award-winning images to share, so keep an eye on our page over the next few days!