Say Hello To My Little Friend
Interesting encounter, wouldn't you agree?
I met this little fellow yesterday, while on my way to a remote place on the map known as Bennett's Point. Skylar and I wanted to see some birds. Indeed we encountered a flock of wild turkeys and stopped to watch a big whirlpool at a spot where the tide comes in. Then the sign said, "Wildlife Viewing Area Ahead". As I turned the corner, this Guy was crossing the road. More precisely, he seemed to be napping in the middle of the road. Now, what do you do with an alligator in the middle of the road? I certainly did not want him to be flattened by the next good ole' boy in a pickup. So I pulled up to about a foot from his face, and honked my horn! He became rather belligerent, quite offended by my challenge. I learned that an alligator can hiss and open his enormous mouth quite wide. So, we agreed that he should own this part of the road.
I rolled down the window to take this picture. He is probably about eight or nine feet long, and might hit about 300 pounds in weight. Later in the day, safe and sound back at the motel, I was informed that my new friend probably could have leaped up, with lightning-quick agility, to snatch my camera and attached hand. Lesson learned.
Here's my best little friend. We are on the beach at Tybee Island, trying to outrun the surf.
"Do it again, papa! Do it again!"
08.28.08 (5:11 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (2:40 pm)
Aaaaw (to the pic and the crocodile)!
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (2:51 pm)
Why didn't you get out and kick his arse!! hehe don't think I'd try that!!! It's a lot bigger than me!!
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (2:57 pm)
So ugly yet so intriguing. The alligator PD, not you. I would definitely say the alligator has the right of way in any given situation.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (3:01 pm)
I love the pic of you and Skylar ~ and I can so hear her say ~ "Do it again, papa! Do it again!" ~ Love it!
As for the 'gator ~ I'd give him ALL THE ROAD HE WANTED, no question at all! I remember years ago when my hubby and I were driving to Cape Canaveral and we were on the causeway headed to the museum there were gators on each side of the road, sunning I guess, but there must have been 10 or 12 of them. Hubby said "I'd sure hate to get a flat tire here!"
Glad you and Skylar had no further contact with him!
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (3:57 pm)
I'm jealous!! You and Skylar are having SO MUCH FUN!!!!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:32 pm)
That IS my section of the road, by the way, and yes I COULD have jumped up and taken both your arm and camera.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:37 pm)
Reply to: rosietulips
I see you have a soft place in your heart for prehistoric reptilian carnivores. I remember as a kid going to a "zoo" located at a gas station along the highway. They had a poor alligator behind a fence, in a stinking and green pond. Being stupid kids, we entertained ourselves by throwing rocks at the poor creature. This could be a distant cousin, feigning sleep so I would go near and then he could exact revenge.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:40 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
You know, he seemed so lethargic and harmless. If I were just a tad more stupid, and perhaps loaded with a couple of six packs, and hanging out with some of my buddies long ago that I knew in Alabama..... Naahhh- still I think I'd stay away from the fellow.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:41 pm)
Reply to: squirrelzone
It is a rule of the road, printed in the official driving manual here in South Carolina. Stay far away.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:43 pm)
Reply to: auntconi
seems I remember a similar scene along a highway in deep Southern Florida, going through the Everglades from one end to the other. Stupid me, I'd stop every so often to look at the cute little creatures with the beady eyes. They're really harmless. Right?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:49 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
I'm familiar with Snake Handlers. There's a fine book written several years ago, titled Salvation On Sand Mountain, about a snake handling preacher who arranged for his wife to be fatally bitten. It's a true story about a situation that happened close to where I was born and raised.
I've handled a few snakes in church- reptiles of the human variety.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:52 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
We seem to always have lots of fun. It seems since she has come along that I have been getting younger!
posted by:
kanetsugu (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:56 pm)
What a great adventure! Say hello from me to your family! God Bless You!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (4:56 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
You know, surr, some people consider a gator to be a cute and even delightful creature. Just because I somehow, mistakenly, compared you to one of these creatures does not in any way have an intent of disparagement. In my mind was a cuddly, nice little pet-like, teddy-bear-like alligator. Really.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (5:01 pm)
Reply to: kanetsugu
Thanks, and I will pass that along. My two daughters, young adults and now out on their own, just arrived for the evening. They drove 5 hours to spend a couple of days with us. Pretty good, I think!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (5:15 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
A cuddly Gator. Okay. I'll buy it. Here, hold out your hand in front of my mouth... I just want to look at your watch...
(Heh heh heh... Soon we'll call him PastorHook.)
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
08.28.08 (6:56 pm)
Nice pictur of the gator, better picture of you and Skylar having fun.
posted by:
monaloser (
reply)
post date:
08.29.08 (6:13 am)
I'm a cat person myself :)
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
08.29.08 (11:26 am)
They may seem menacing, but they like it if you pet them on the head. You might consider trying that next time.
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
08.29.08 (1:29 pm)
'Scuse me while I get on my inner redneck.
Ahem...
Y'all gotta git out there and wrassle that gater. Ya just grab his tail and drag 'im offa tha road, an it ain't gonna hurt 'im nun. Now, iffn he tries to bite, y'all just kinda swing his tail and send that ole boy flying. 'N iffn ya kin git one up on 'im, you git summa his tail, 'n thass sum good eatin' right there fer ya.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.01.08 (7:10 am)
Reply to: monaloser
The locals around here assure me that gators have a real liking for cats.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.01.08 (7:12 am)
Reply to: intricategirl
Faintly I remember a visit to Louisiana, seeing a gator tail barbecuing upon a rotating spit. Now, THAT is redneck.
posted by:
shichigatsu (
reply)
post date:
09.01.08 (9:40 am)
Hello! Cute Croc!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
09.01.08 (1:22 pm)
I'd say Skylar is being a good little girl and loves to splash in the water with 'papa' ~ that is what my grandkids call their grandpa, too ~ I think it is soooo cute! I'm sure you enjoyed your vacation time ~ how could you not ~ gators and all!!!
I so remember what a cute little sweetie Skylar was when I met you last winter at Sweet Tomatoes ~ ahh I remember it fondly!
((hugs)) to you and your family
