This is probably the alligator I saw this spring!

This is probably the alligator I saw this spring!

 

September 12, 2013

 

Click here to see a photo and tv news story on the gator caught in the Econ River.

 

      Last spring, I went to my favorite park on the Little Econ River and described seeing a gigantic alligator swimming slowly on the other side of the river.

 

      Recently, three gator hunters caught a gator weighing over 700 pounds in the Econ River.  I'm almost sure it's the same one I saw on that beautiful spring afternoon.   The title of my post was "See Ya' Later Alligator!"

 

      Try to imagine how these hunters got that creature into their boat!   Just one big reason that many Floridians DO NOT swim in our rivers...

 



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

 

    

     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 link shows a short video of a large gator similar to what I saw today. 

 



      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.



 

     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. 

 



 

 

Click on this link to see my pinterest interests. Look at my "Animals, Just Animals" board. No alligators.

 

    

I'm Going Fishing--For Free!

December 8, 2012

 

 

 

     A few days ago I wrote about seeing someone sitting on the bank of the Little Econ River, just casually casting his fishing line into the water.  I had added "go fishing" to my list of activities for retirement.

 

      I researched fishing this morning, and lo and behold, I can fish for free, without a fishing license!  Here is the rule/law that affects me.  Yay for being old!!

What does a senior license certificate cover and where do I get it?

Florida residents age 65 or older only need a Florida Driver License or Identification Card to prove residency and age. They are not required to purchase the following recreational licenses and permits:

• Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing and hunting licenses
• Snook, lobster, deer, management area, muzzleloading, turkey, archery, crossbow, *Florida waterfowl, and migratory bird permits.

You can get a complimentary senior card at the county tax collectors office, but it is not necessary. You can find links to the county tax collector offices at $taxcollectors.
While a license is not required for resident seniors, they should keep proof of age and residency in their possession while participating in these activities.


     That means that I can rush to my nearest Target or (where would I go around here?) somewhere nearby to purchase $50 worth of equipment to fish for free.  Seems logical. 

     Remember, this Wednesday, the Golden Ticket Day, I get my first  SS check.  That means I will have some "recreational funds" to try out my retirement activity. 

     I was sitting at a picnic bench on the bank of the river when I saw the man fishing.  I didn't see any DisneyWorld safety rails or fences to keep alligators from just strolling up the bank to eat me, however.  Oh, heck.  I didn't see an alligator strolling up the bank to eat the fishing guy either.



      Definitely going shopping for a fishing rod, a big knife to kill any gators, snakes or serial killers, a comfortable camping chair to relax in, a pair of work gloves for when I have to hold the fish to remove the hook before I throw it back in the river, and a picnic lunch from Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Oh yes.  I'll need bait.  What do freshwater fish like to bite off of a hook?  Hope it's not worms. 



     If they only want worms, then I'm going bowling instead. 

Follow me on pinterest while I'm "gone fishing" this morning. Just click this link to get there.