Our kids have gone back home, but we do have great memories and some photos to help us remember. Yes, this big guy was in our backyard the last day the grandchildren were here and they enjoyed the excitement. He was not as shy as previous gators visiting. In fact as the guys were fishing in the pond, The Trout grabbed Rachel's 'Princess Fishing Rod' and he actually chomped down on the bobber and The Trout was holding on as the rod was bending. No, he was not reeled in. He broke the line. Luckily. Alligators are common in Florida, but when they are in the backyard, they can be a nuisance. You can be arrested for harassing these creatures and you can have the gator patrol come in and remove them, but only if they are posing a danger for you. They need to be quite large before they are removed. Just one of those creatures where we have invaded their home.
We went down to Lake Morton and watched the geese blocking traffic as they wobbled back and forth across the road. Locals are used to the disruption.
Erika, Rachel and Josh feeding the swans.The kids had two days at Disney and a visit to the Atlantic and to the Gulf to enjoy the beaches. Lots of shells and beach sand to take to their friends in school. The visits go very quickly, but we are so glad we are able to enjoy them together.
The joys of Florida, right? I would not want a visit from one of those guys.
ReplyDeleteWow, talk about a little excitement in your day! I just can't imagine looking out my back door and seeing an aligator.
ReplyDeleteYikes, I don't know if I would like that kind of wildlife in my yard. So glad you got to be with the grandkids.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a Florida Fresh Fish and Wildlife Warden. He trapped and moved many a gator in his time. I can't stand the things!!!
ReplyDeleteLake Morton is one of the many things that I miss about Lakeland. Thanks for posting the photo's:-)
Spring is in the air in your corner. I don't think I would be very brave with an alligator in my back yard. Don't see those in northern Ontario.
ReplyDeleteRita
We had gators in the lake we lived at...we fenced the yard half way down so we didn't have to worry about them coming to close..what would scare me is the manatees.. your sitting on the dock and they rise and I would jump...I do miss Florida at times...Have a great day..Lisa
ReplyDeleteI'll stick with the beavers, the geese and ducks and a heron now and then in my backyard instead of the gators. You're a brave soul.
ReplyDeleteGators and snakes are 2 things I do not like. I live very close to Lake Morton. Probably drove by when you were there. The past few days there have been so many down at the lake. I went today with the 2 pug girls after their vet visit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would ever get used to the gators. I do kind of like their photos though. They are interesting creatures but they give me the willies!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Just wait till I tell Nick that the Trout nearly caught a Gator! He went shark fishing in 2008 but your experience far surpasses that! He wrote about it at http://bordeaux-undiscovered.blogspot.com/2008/09/shark-fishing-with-good-friends-good.html I thought that the Trout might be interested.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I think I will just stick with grizzlies in my backyard!
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