2015: Another Year of RVing...: Chua on this!

So I drove around to the other area I'd been told about, where the gators were supposed to be found: the La Chua Trail. Unfortunately, not being familiar, and not remembering exactly what directions I'd been given (and the gal not being hugely specific on the last part...), I ended up parking a couple miles farther away than I needed to. I did find a trail to take me to the trail though... And it was very pretty. Just made for a long, hot walk and some tired feet!! At least it was cloudy...

An elusive cardinal taking off. You can see these birds everywhere in the southeast, but darned if they'll sit still long enough once you've got a camera aiming for them!!!

This guy didn't mind posing though, so what the heck! You can never have too many squirrel photos, right? Right?

Trees of the Trail...

Sometimes it pays to pay attention to signage...

(for me, this place was far better than Disneyland!!!!)

More drippy trees.

And then...more dripping, period! The clouds let loose with a downpour! Fortunately, I was right near a building the trail passed through and could take shelter. The rain didn't last long, just a nice little interlude.

The boardwalk beyond the tree was closed off - darn!! I was told that a mama gator and her babies had recently been frequenting that area.

Looking back at the boardwalk and covered lookout area.

The still active skies made for a dramatic and rich look.

And so did he/she...

and him/her.

They were my first two sightings...but not my last!

Here was another fellow/lady, hauling up onto the bank.

I just love watching them walk - they look so different raised up!

Aaaaaaaahh, that's better. Time for a snooze...

As this other one is already doing. How peaceful-looking they are in mid-slumber! Just like the TX mama with her little ones gathered around (or on), a very sweet and serene scene.

I think this is a grackle (nice name, eh?).

Red-wing blackbird (leaving, as they usually are when they spot me!).

Great blue heron, fish/frog-spotting.

OK, here's where this already-exciting trail became hugely more so!!! I watched this guy making his way across from the other side of this one big pond. At first, he seemed to be taking his time, and didn't appear that threatening. But then, as he got closer, I couldn't tell anymore... And when his eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he assumed "the position" (above), I REALLY couldn't tell what his intentions were!! It looked for all the world like he was glaring AT ME!!! And he was much closer to the trail - and to me - at that point!! So I scooted (slowly - not to act like prey!) away and behind some bushes. He ended up sort of paralleling the bank between us and soon looked much more normal and relaxed. Me? Not so much...! I still don't know if he was reacting to my presence or something else, if I really disturbed him or if this posturing was brought on by some mating/territorial behavior common to the season or something... And frankly, I didn't want to find out right then and there!!

Kind of a battle-scarred chin. Maybe it's not just me he challenges!! (although I would have been a much milder opponent!) But look at those eyes!! That's NOT the look you want to mess with!!!!

Here he is after he's calmed down... MY eyes were still popped-out and my heartbeat going crazy!!!

I think these were immature white ibis.

Getting rained on...as was I...(and my camera...)

Water hyacinth.

Purple Pickerelweed.

Water lily.

Water lily leaf.

Common gallinule.

Are you looking at me?!

And here's our sleeping beauty again.

Handsome heron.

Another redwing.

You can get a good idea of just how big this gator guy (or gal?) is by extrapolating the body length and girth from the size of that snout...!

More gator parking.

They came prepared (unlike me!). I actually enjoyed the rain - until the sun came out at the very end and created humidity like you wouldn't believe! That's also when the moisture in my camera decided to rebel and fogged everything up from the inside out...! End of photography for the day!! Which was probably as good a way as any to get me to stop and go home. I was getting tired but still had another 2+ miles to go to get back to a seated position. But I loved this place so much, I could've stayed here forever! One of my favorite experiences of the trip!!! There was a lot of fantastic stuff, esp. in FL, but there were two stand-outs for me, and this was one of them. So much wild nature. They weren't behind bars, and neither was I!

One of the elements that made it so exciting and memorable for me was fear. That may sound strange to some, but I'll bet others will understand. It's the thrill that so often drives us to walk on the edge, to do what others won't. Whatever causes the excitement and adrenaline may make us uncomfortable, scared, may make us question our judgement and wish we hadn't embarked on such a venture. And yet...it makes us feel ALIVE (vs. the alternative, which we may be looking in the face, one way or another), makes us so in the here and now. It's real, immediate, and in your face. And that feeling makes for a lasting impression. One that we may treasure and cherish. And maybe you didn't set out seeking it, but the fact that it happened is awesome!!! An unforeseen item on the bucket list.

So, that first gator guy got me going. And that sort of set the tone for the rest of the mile or so long (one-way) walk, which for the most part, was on a fairly wide mowed grass trail but bounded on both sides by either tall grass or ponds covered with vegetation (thus, good hiding spots...!). Needless to say, I was attentive and vigilant for "whomever" might be too close... But that wasn't enough. Near the end of the trail, there was an explosion a few feet in front and to the left of me! The gator and I were obviously equally startled!! But, true to their nature (from what I've seen repeatedly now), , they dart AWAY (not towards you!!)!!! I don't know how deep the water was there, but that gator basically disappeared in it!! I (shakily) passed by that area and made it to the overlook platform. I could see him/her (but just barely) on my way back by. I waved. Not sure if he/she waved back (maybe underwater?).

And I'm not saying any of this because this was a totally death-defying stunt or place! I believe they have never had an alligator incident here! I googled for that just now and couldn't come up with anything! Which is so cool, because this is one (of many, thank goodness) places where you can get up close and personal with these big reptiles. And yet, even with how potentially dangerous these critters can be, and with how potentially stupid people can be, nothing has really ever happened here! In fact, I'm guessing that if I'd fallen into that water, that gator would've gone even farther away (at least at first...!)! But it was still that unlikely potential that made it exciting and memorable...in a way that going to the grocery store - or even seeing a scary movie - isn't...

From the overlook...

From the trail once again. It was back into this stuff that my gator escaped...

And back to my rain shelter.

More signs to survive by...!? (again, most of the time, the gators do their best to avoid us!! But harmony is most likely to be maintained with a healthy dose of respect on our side too!!!)