Blackwater Creek

Canaveral National Seashore, Apollo Beach

On the water at 1:45

Did not have to paddle far to see manatees

Rock Springs Run

Florida, The Rain Every Day in Summer State. It did stop.

On the water from a busy Wekiwa Springs State Park at 11:30. After a visit to the dentist.

Always good to see Joanne B on the River

Quite a few alligators on the Wekiva.

Eddy Creek

Hillsborough River

On the water at 9:45. I did not take my usual morning walk so I would be off the River before the afternoon rain.

Was not expecting morning rain

Blackwater Creek

On the Creek at 11:50. No nusicance alligator trapper today. (See previous Tale)

Blackwater Creek

You would think I had seen this before, but today I saw an alligator trapper in action for the first time. At the kayak launch at Seminole State Forest. I missed the best part. The capture. According to the trapper, a father and daughter, who had been fishing, reported it had been coming on shore, near them, the last 2 days. Dad called the Forest office, who called the trapper. I saw it as I carried my kayak to the water. I thought it was dead. Until it moved. I asked the trapper why it was so lethargic. Did he stun it? No, it was just worn out. I asked if it would be killed. No, Gatorland pays him $1000.00 for 10 foot alligators. If he sold it for the meat and hide, he would get $30.00 a foot. He also said he does not like killing big gators. As they help keep nature in balance. Eating smaller gators, snakes, and more. He took pictures, and measured the gator for Gatorland. 10 feet, 8 inches. In bare feet. The trapper's not the gator. I told him he should get the duct tape company to pay him for endorsing their product. "This tape is so strong, I work around big gators in bare feet" He winched the gator up to his truck, but was going to have his partner come with a cage. "Too many broken tailights" he said on the phone. From gator's tails, I assume.