River Patrol Shots: January 25th and 26th

Quite surprised when I blew this up to find that this hawk was about to eat a small turtle like the one in the next picture!

So from the last photo we now know that this size turtle is fair game for a swooping hawk.

Peek-a-boo alligator style.

Head shot the same alligator.

Moore Hen and heron.

Moore hen couple.

Moore Hens have colorful beaks (bright red) and ankles!

Reaching for the sun.

So many different ways to see an alligator.

Drying out and reaching for the sun.

This little guy was paying attention to me. Not a good sign. It might mean he's been fed by someone, which if it continues might eventually mean his death sentence. DON'T FEED AN ALLIGATOR. IF HE BECOMES USED TO
IT HE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BE MOVED OR MORE LIKELY, SHOT.

Gator in the grass.

This is what he did when I came closer. He is only a couple feet long now, but what if this continues when he gets to be eleven or twelve feet! Alligators are normally totally passive around people UNLESS they have been teased or fed.

These are his siblings. They are always around this same spot near the gate to the paddle canal.

Clear flow, sandy bottom (near a boil). It would be great to see the whole river like this again. Let's hope "sonification" works! (and that people will stop using fertilizer and pesticides on their lawns; it all winds up here).

Reflections.

So still; almost a mirror.

One of the nicest paddle trails that can be found anywhere.