Wednesday, January 16, 2013

See Ya' Later, Alligator! Maybe I Won't Go Fishing Again January 16, 2013

See Ya' Later Alligator!
Maybe I Won't Go Fishing Again
 
January 16, 2013
 
Florida alligator
    
     On my way home from work, I stopped at my favorite park on the Little Econ River to sit awhile and watch the ibis, lots of ibis, splashing and walking around in the water.
 
     I parked my car, walked a few yards across a bike/jogging path to sit at a picnic bench near the bank of the river.  I've done this lots of times and have written about it.
 
     Today, I looked across the river, about 100 yards wide, to see if other ibis were on the other side, as they usually are.  Nope.  No ibis.  So I sat and relaxed, and enjoyed watching, just watching.
 
     After about 15 minutes, I stood up to leave when something caught my eye across the river.  There was a long, long alligator swimming slowly upstream, right next to the bank of the river.  I could see its huge head, its curved back, and its long tail moving slowly, slowly.  Finally it slid under some overhanging cypress branches.  Then it just waited, its 12-foot long dinosaur body just waited.
 
 
 

      This gave me pause for thought:  Do you suppose this huge alligator sometimes swims on the side of the river where all of the nature lovers hang out?  I think I already know this answer.  Yes, of course.
Alligator hunts for prey: Broward County, Florida (1986)

 
     So, I'm thinking that if that gigantic creature is part of my nature dream, I may have to rethink my dream.  Maybe I'll do my fishing from a very large boat next time. 
 
Alligators swimming in Florida waters (19--)