darn! Thanks for the kind words. Twenty years ago people had to know what they were doing to get good pictures. Today's digital cameras make it possible for anyone. I shoot on "automatic" most of the time. If I were having to worry about F stops and aperture size, I would never get the wildlife photos I do. The bags are small, but on this stream, so is our trash, as there is no access where people can dump their tires, etc. Cans, bottles, Bic lighters---small stuff that adds up and is harmful to wildlife. Also, you give me too much credit---this was a downstream paddle so we would have time to clean up the entire 8 miles, but we often paddle 4 or 5 miles upstream from the park and back down. The current isn't bad.
bellaroma I love the alligators, which is good, since they are in every body of water that I paddle, but I have a healthy respect for them. I've never seen one get aggressive, but I often see defensive behavior, especially during mating/nesting/hatching seasons. That would be spring/summer/fall, which leaves winter when they're pretty dormant and happy to lie around in the sunshine and smile.
nerdgrrl You've paddled the Econlockhatchee River, where reside some of the biggest big old bull gators I have ever seen, apart from Myakka River State Park. As accustomed as I am to gators, I've seen some in the Econ that literally take my breath away. The Econ gators are well behaved (thank goodness,) and usually slide into the water well ahead of any approaching kayakers. I guarantee that they have seen you
We also saw a river otter yesterday, but he was elusive and I didn't get a picture. They're more active in the daytime this time of year, and I hope to see some next week.
United States
Bike riding tomorrow.
