Tag Archives: alligators

It’s A Lizard’s Life

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Large iguana perched on a tree branch, showing detailed orange, brown, and green scales with spines along its back.”

🦎 Lizard Life: Florida Edition

Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes, but Florida’s scaly resident lizards have a special talent for showing up exactly when you least expect them.

🦎 Iguanas: My First Encounter

The very first green iguana I ever saw outside of a PBS nature special was strolling down Duval Street like it owned the place. It was wearing a tiny harness, attached to a human with big rasta hair and an even bigger vibe. I couldn’t tell who was walking whom, and I was far too shy to ask questions. I didn’t even take a picture — a tragedy, considering how gloriously photo‑worthy the moment was.

The next time, I redeemed myself. I was on an airboat returning from an Everglades tour when I spotted the biggest iguana I’d ever seen perched in the bushes along the channel. He had an orange frill and the attitude of someone who absolutely knew he was magnificent. I got a photo as we glided past, and it remains one of my favorite “Florida wildlife being dramatic” memories.

Large iguana with bright orange spines resting in dense green foliage, gripping branches with its claws.”

“Small brown lizard clinging to rough tree bark, blending into the wood above a gravel background.”🦎 Anoles: Tiny Speed Demons

Back at the condo, the local residents were anoles — tiny green and brown lizards that zipped around like they were late for a meeting. They were adorable, lightning‑fast, and endlessly entertaining. The locals didn’t seem impressed, but I loved watching them skitter across the patio like miniature athletes.

🦎 Iguanas Everywhere: Key Largo Edition

Several years later, I returned to Florida and headed for Key Largo. That’s where I truly met“Green iguana resting on the ground among dry leaves and tree roots, with blue water visible in the background.” the iguana population — and wow, did they make an impression.

I spent most of my beach time at Pennekamp Park. The sand was fine, but the water footing was pure coral punishment. Lining the beach were trees, picnic tables, and iguanas. Big ones, small ones, green ones, orange ones — a whole rainbow of reptiles just living their best lives.

No one seemed to pay them any mind, but if you weren’t careful, they’d absolutely steal your lunch. Florida wildlife doesn’t play.

🐊 Other Scaly Things: Alligators

“Beachside caution sign warning about alligators and crocodiles, with white sand and visitors near the shoreline in the background.”Of course, the biggest lizards in the area weren’t iguanas at all — they were alligators. Signs everywhere warned visitors not to swim with them, but the park still had a roped‑off swimming area, and plenty of people went in and out of the water like it was no big deal.

 

I even braved it myself to test out my new snorkeling gear. I never saw an alligator there… although I did see one while swimming with manatees. We didn’t realize it was lurking nearby until we were safely back on the boat. Since I prefer returning from vacations with all body parts intact, I’m very glad I didn’t know about that gator while I was still in the water.

“Alligator lying in tall green grass and wet vegetation, partially hidden by plants in a marshy habitat.”

🦎 Final Thoughts

I’ve heard iguanas make good pets — and I guess that’s true, considering the one I saw on a leash. But personally, I prefer the soft, furry kind of animal. Still, it’s always a thrill to see these scaly characters in the wild and learn a little more about their world.

“Two cats sitting on a carpeted floor near a window, one orange and one black, with a beige multi‑level cat tree behind them.

 

Air Boats and Alligators

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Tom & Jerry’s Air Boat rides

The last part of the Florida Adventure tour is a 30 minute air boat ride. We had a 45 minute bus ride from Crystal River to Lake Panasoffkee for a 30 minute boat ride. I’ve been on air boats before but not on Lake Panasoffkee. Upon arrival the group was split in two. Only one air boat was operational. Or maybe it was because there was only one captain available.

Cruising the Lake

airboats and alligator

My group followed the Captain Jerry down the dock where we boarded a medium sized air boat. There were plenty of earmuffs on each bench seat. You really need to use them because the roar of the huge fan that drives the board is deafening. We started out slowly but soon Captain Jerry kicked up the speed. A great blue heron took off as we roared past. Captain Jerry slowed the boat and pointed it out. He said it was the first bird he’d seen since the hurricane. Usually the lake was teeming with birds.

Birds and Hurricanes Great Blue heron

Captain Jerry explained that the birds get into the eye of the storm and are carried far off their normal flight paths. It takes them awhile to get orientated and begin to return. He was very happy to see the Great Blue. A bit further on Captain Jerry again slowed the boat. This time so we could see a smaller bird. It was a heron too. This one was the tricolor Heron.

Where are all the Gators?

We finally spotted one alligator. Captain Jerry said he thought most of the gators were way back in the brush. The lake is usually about 6 ft deep at its deepest. With all the water from the hurricane it was more like 12 feet and still rising. It made for a beautiful blue lake but the marsh grass and Lilly pads were all underwater now. Alligators like to be able to hide. With the deeper water they felt exposed so were way back in the brushy area.

Want to hold the Alligator?

Baby Alligator

Back at the dock the 2nd half of our group headed out. One of the other employees brought out a small alligator to let us hold and take pictures. The really little gators were in an aquarium in the gift shop. Captain Jerry may have been disappointed that he couldn’t show us more gator’s but I didn’t hear any of us complaining. We had a great time all day!

 

 

 

 

Return to Everglades Holiday Park

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The rain finally let up on Tuesday….sort of. It was still gray and overcast but I was scheduled for the Everglades tour. A big double Decker bus worked it’s way down Ocean Drive and stopped right in front of the Crescent Resort. My ride had arrived.

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I climbed to the open air top deck but the ride was only to the ticket office.   When it was my turn I was directed to a smaller van operated by “Luis”. When we finally headed out he had a full load. It was a good thing we were in the van too . The skies opened up and it began to pour!

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Just before we reached Everglades Holiday Park the rain stopped. It was still very overcast but at least it wasn’t raining. Even if it started to rain again, the airboats at Holiday Park as covered.

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Our pictures were taken as we stood inline and then it was time to board.

Holiday Park

I passed the time waiting getting a kick out of the local grackle. They were into everything!

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After a brief safely talk we were on our way.

The first thing I spotted was an Anhinga, the “snake bird” of the Everglades. They call it that because of its long neck.

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Next up were the cormorants perched on the warning sign.

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With no sun, alligators were in short supply. We only saw one.

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But we had fun with a family of Purple Gallinule.

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These funny birds walk on top of the vegetation.

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We had a whole family join us including a pretty young chick.

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On the way back to the dock we spotted a huge iguana perched in the trees.

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He was a beautiful specimen on the one hand, but kind of depressing on the other as this is an invasive species. Along with pythons they are wreaking havoc on the native animals of the Everglades.

 

Gatorland

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Gatorland was certainly a high point for the trip. Between you and me, my young guests said they liked it better than Animal Kingdom!

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Gatorland gets you up close and personal and if you are into big lizards there are certainly enough gators and crocodiles to satisfy all.

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Besides the gator wrestling show you have a chance to sit on a real gator in the ring just as if you were doing the wrestling. Of course your gator has his jaws taped shut for safely.

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There’s also the feeding frenzy where handlers hand feed the big gators and even a few crocs. They send chicken carcasses on lines out over the gator pond to encourage the animals to jump for their meal.

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Other gator ponds are open to feeding by the guests. You buy a package of hot dogs and break off pieces to throw into the ponds near the gators.

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You try to get the hot dogs close to the gators because the birds  will steal the bits right out of the gators’ mouths. They seem to have no fear.DSC_0773 copy

Somewhere North of the Everglades

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It was stepping out into a watery wilderness a mere 7 miles from the headwaters of the River of Grass. Anyone local will tell you that you are too far north for the Everglades. They think of the southern end, near Fort Lauderdale, Shark Valley, Holiday Park, but the shallow waters start somewhere and East Lake Tohopekaliga is a good a place as any to explore if you are near St. Cloud, FL.

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We tried a smaller airboat ride than I’ve done before. We floated out with Wild Willy’s and it was worth the effort to get there. Located in a RV campground on a dead end road, Wild Willy’s uses 6 person airboats, smaller and more personal than the bigger airboats I’ve been on on the past.

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Our captain said he was the one and only Wild Willy. I’m not sure if that’s true or just what they all say but he was a crusty fellow who did his darndest to give us a fun and educational ride.

Without a word he used the airboat to coax birds into the air or drift quietly past them so I could get the best possible photos. Big difference from the frustrating experiences trying to get photos on some of the big airboats.

Willy pointed out an eagle nest with two eaglets while Mon and Dad perched in the tree tops a few trees away keeping a close eye.

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Baby alligators chirped for mama gator and birds were everywhere.

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One of the first we spotted was an osprey with a fish for lunch half as big as he was.

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A great blue heron “photo bombed”  some smaller wading birds…just because he could.

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We scared up a flock of white pelicans.

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We spotted quite as few Purple Gallinules.

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I got a predator bird in flight. It was hardly more than a spot in the sky when Willy pointed the airboat toward it. I heard him say it was very rare and that he’d taken birder’s out days at a time looking for one. But I didn’t catch what he called it. So here’s my mystery bird. Any idea what it is?

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