Jason and I went on a canoeing date last Saturday, and we met a little friend. We were at a swampy creek, 20 minutes from our house. As we paddled along, I was chatting about how I wished we could see some turtles or even a snake because it seemed like the perfect environment for critters. Suddenly Jason said in a raised, warning voice "Katrine, back up!" I scanned the water ahead of me, looking for a log that I was about to run into, and he said more insistently "Katrine! paddle backwards!" Of course, I said "What? Why?" and very calmly paddled backwards, moving the canoe a couple of feet. I was a little confused at why he wouldn't tell me what was going on. After we had backtracked ten feet, he said "Look. There's an alligator!" Whoa. My stomach dropped to my feet when I saw Mr. 6 foot long alligator sunning himself an oar's reach from where I just was. He didn't seem to care much about us, so we sat and stared at him for a while. I wished I had brought the camera! Then Jason said he could at least take a crappy picture with his phone, so we paddled quickly back to the dock, grabbed his phone from the truck, and swiftly but silently made our way back, hoping he was still there. He was, and so we got as close as we dared to snap a few pictures. He raised his head up once and turned his head to look at us which gave me a start, but once again, he didn't seem to mind us there. So, anyway, Jason tried to circle his location and if you can't see him, his head is pointing left, peeking behind the large vertical tree limb. If you look closely at his tail on the right of the limb you might see the jaggedy scales/fringe, whatever you call it.
Jason is determined to go alligator "hunting" with our good camera, and his pal Eric Willett this week. I told him to go ahead without me, because even though it was cool, I don't want to meet his grumpy big brother.
Ironically, I still think that the most dangerous animal situation I've been in here in Texas is when I tried to pick up a snapping turtle that was in our church parking lot. We had only been living here for three months, and I had no idea that snapping turtles were around. He REALLY didn't like being picked up and his neck whipped around, making my hands jump from his shell. Yes, I was dumb and tried (then failed) once more to save him from a possible tire death. That's the last time I try to rescue a snapping turtle.
Ironically, I still think that the most dangerous animal situation I've been in here in Texas is when I tried to pick up a snapping turtle that was in our church parking lot. We had only been living here for three months, and I had no idea that snapping turtles were around. He REALLY didn't like being picked up and his neck whipped around, making my hands jump from his shell. Yes, I was dumb and tried (then failed) once more to save him from a possible tire death. That's the last time I try to rescue a snapping turtle.
