Kayak Trip, July 30, 2010

We had a great kayak tour this morning, two tandems and me, one couple from California and one set of ladies from Switzerland!

It was slightly overcast when we left the dock on our outback safari in Hell Peckney Bay, but as we go to the very back of the bay, the rain hit and hit pretty hard for a few moments! It was beautiful. I love kayaking in the rain. The kayakers seemed to not be bothered, i mean how could you be, it was beautiful and refreshing and we were in calm, protected waters.

The rain subsided and we carried on. We did not see any dolphins today. I have not figured our these marvelous creatures but they are WILD thank goodness! They can roam anywhere they want to roam and be free to be themselves.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and share them with others. Don't forget to check out our other fun journeys by clicking on Good Time Charters and Everglades Adventure links on the right side of this post! Thanks to all of you, Gator D signing out for now!

Naples ZOO Visit! What a WONDERFUL place!

This is the first installment of several in a series that I am sharing with you folks from the Naples Zoo! Sonja, in her wonderful photographic way, has created a magnificent group of photos that I feel compelled to share with you.

I will be doing a few of these over the coming days and hope you find them as interesting as I do. If you have never been to the Naples Zoo, or have not been lately, it has become a very nice Zoo with lots of backing and support.

When Sonja and I were kids growing up here we all knew this place to be the "Jungle Larry's".

For those of you who do not know who Jungle Larry was, if you remember the "Tarzan" movies starring Johnny Weismuller (spelling?), Larry was his stand-in double who swung from the trees and wrestled alligators! Larry was a wonderful "animal man" who created this magnificent place but had others who came before and after him that shaped this wonderful zoo and botanical garden!

So if you are an animal lover OR a plant lover, you must come see! And if you are a local, for $30, you can join for a whole year and enjoy the zoo year round! What a wonderful bargain!

So, enjoy, and thank you Sonja for sharing your work with us! If any of you are interested in "prints" of any of these matted for your frame, let us know! You can purchase these in several sizes.

Thanks folks and enjoy!

Once again I thank my wife Sonja for her effort to share the wonders of the natural world with us!

Until next time, Gator D is OUTTA HERE!

July 17, 2010 "Hot, Hot, Hot!"

Today was absolutely the BEST birding day I have had as a Guide in the Everglades. I cannot tell you how impressed I was by the NUMBER of birds, and that was on a hot July day. Usually, the colder months bring tons of migratory birds, and yet today, we saw hundreds of Ibis, Herons of all kinds, and even Roseate Spoonbills.

Then, we ran into a gator that was pretty impressive and then a HUGE gator came floating around in one of the mangrove rivers and was he ever incredible! He hung around our boat for a long time and then without notice, he attacked the smaller gator. Captain Gary decided it was time for us to leave (no use in traumatizing our customers with blood, guts and brain matter!).

Anyway, WHAT A DAY! Did I ever tell you guys that I LOVE MY JOB? I was so happy with the ride and the wildlife on our cruise. I came home, had a nice 4 mile walk on the beach and then had lunch (early dinner) with my wife, Sonja, at the Smokin Oyster Brewery (S.O.B.s).

Later on I did a Sunset Cruise and had a wonderful couple with me that also shared an Everglades trip with me a couple of days ago that were from my home town of Huntsville, Alabama! Thanks Tabitha and Allan for joining me again! If your in Huntsville or the general area and need a massage, give Tabitha a call at Dan Tera Salon and Day Spa at (256) 721-2236 (7407 HWY 72, Suite C, Madison AL 35758)! You guys rock!

Well I hope you enjoy the pics and videos from today. I certainly enjoyed being with you in the Everglades. Check out the links on the right side of this post for more good info for you in your visit to our island.

















Well folks, Gator D has a day off tomorrow! Gonna go Paddle Boarding in the morning and then gonna vegetate the rest of the day (maybe do a long walk on the beach with Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney blasting away). Who knows! I will certainly be chillin! Bye for now and I will inform you of my next Gator D Adventure!