Coming back up the Silver River we ran into a traffic jam. It appeared to be a scout troop traveling by canoe!
We followed them into the Silver Springs basin which was awash with boats.
Later we noticed a gator - a relatively small one.
It headed toward the glass-bottom boats.

But looked quite benign.
Our adventure ended as the gator decided to hide out in the weeds.
I have been following your adventure since day one and have enjoyed every posting.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have enjoyed this series so much, Lowell!! And I love the gator!! Wonderful captures and such a lovely place!! Thanks for sharing!! Enjoy your weekend!!
ReplyDeleteSorry. "Benign" and "gator" don't belong in the same sentence...and, for me, they don't belong in the same river as me, either...
ReplyDeleteI suffered a heat stroke on a visit to Greece many years ago. I got a fever and had a few scary nightmares, they all included crocodiles.
ReplyDeleteSeeing a 'benign' gator through a glass bottom boat may have been exciting for those people. Or it may have caused a heart attack.
ReplyDeleteHe looks hungry.
ReplyDeleteWell, hello there, gator. I've got an idiot ex-brother-in-law you could chew on, but I think he'd give you indigestion.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love this trip. and am adding the area to my ever-growing list of must-visit places when we're in Florida. (Probably via the glass bottom boat if we get to do it, ecause I'm not a very good kayaker.
ReplyDeleteLove your kayaking series, but I wouldn't have the nerve, knowing their were alligators in the river!
ReplyDeleteOk, that does it. Never ever will I be able to do what you did!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great adventure. Love that you encounter a bunch of Scouts canoeing.
ReplyDeleteI knew that! Those ugly beasts were obviously somewhere around this paradise... I want back the lovely turtles!
ReplyDeleteWell VP, devils are always close to paradise for sure.
ReplyDeleteIs there really such a thing as a benign gator? You got some fantastic photos of this one and of the whole trip.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great trip! Wouldn't want to get too close to that gator though.
ReplyDeleteWe all co-exist somehow don't we. Glad you had fun. MB
ReplyDeleteI think you might know how much I love the jungle so it was with great pleasure that I watched this fantastic series. All photos are amazing but I have to mention the bent palm tree. And what a bonus the gator is!
ReplyDeleteThe gator would had me rethinking the journey! I hope Lois Ann enjoyed as much as we all did! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI was OK until you saw the gator. :)
ReplyDeleteThank's for taking us along with you!
ReplyDeleteI bet the people on the glass boats were excited to see him!
ReplyDeleteNice shots of the gator! They get quite close to the swimming area at Wakulla Springs, but never seem to bother anyone.
ReplyDeleteA fine finale. These days, I don't get too excited when I see alligators. Except when my friend's golf ball is lying one inch behind. (We let him hit another . . . who cares what the official rules of golf are!)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you were kayaking with gators! You do know if you felt out you would no longer be kayaking with gators, but swimming with gators! Love and miss you guys! Happy birthday, grandma!
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