Alva Photo Gallery

Take a tour of Old Florida by clicking on the photos or titles below.

The bridge at Alva

The drawbridge is a fixture of the landscape along the Caloosahatchee River and signals your entry into Old Florida.

Sunset from the Alva Bridge

Yellow sunlight falls from purple clouds as the day ends in Alva. This shot was taken from the Alva Bridge at sunset.

The Park

The Caloosahatchee Regional Park sits on the north side of the Caloosahatchee River. It offers hundreds of acres of walking, running, and bridle paths, along with river access and a camping area. It is also the home of the only official mountain bike park in Lee County.

Cows

Cows abound in Alva. Cattle occupy an important spot in the history and landscape of Southwest Florida. Unlike many areas, the traditional farming character of Old Florida still exists in Alva.

Riverbank

The Caloosahatchee River seen from a shaded riverbank. Calossahatchee Riverfront property is among the most prized in Southwest Florida.

Sprawling Oak

Even the brighest sunlight cannot penetrate the dense foliage of this sprawling oak tree--even with a modest display of spring foliage! Oak trees are symbolic of the Old Florida style and abound in Alva.

Thicket

Young and old oaks combine with other native plants, such as saw palmetto, to creat dark areas of cool shade.

Oak Sunlight

Seen through the screen of a live oak tree, even the powerful Florida sun is made cool and comfortable.

Pond

A stream ends in a cool pool, overhung with foliage.

Pasture

A trip down any road in Alva will yield a treasure trove of beautiful views of rural farm life. Here, cows wander in a fenced field.

Country_Lane

A double-track lane leads from the main raod to a farmhouse hidden among distant oaks.

Riverside

Sunset along the Caloosahatchee provides the dramatic contrast of the shaded riverbank and the river catching the sun's final few rays.

Oak

A middle-aged oak starts to branch out into the familiar flat-topped broom shape seen at right.

Mature oaks

Like most deciduous trees, live oaks branches form a broom shape. As they mature, live oaks form broad, flattened broom shapes under which herd animals--and people!--can often be found.